Jazz, Suns battle in Phoenix

After having their franchise-record 17-game winning streak stopped by Minnesota on Monday at the Target Center, the Suns got back on track with Thursday’s 103-87 home win over San Antonio.

Amare Stoudemire led the way with 24 points and 23 rebounds in the win, while Leandro Barbosa had 25 points in a reserve role to lead the Suns, who posted their 10th straight win at home and 18th victory over the last 19 games overall. Steve Nash ended with 13 points and 11 assists, while Shawn Marion ended with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Phoenix, which sits atop the Pacific standings, owns an impressive 20-3 record at US Airways Center this season. Suns guard Raja Bell (knee) is questionable for Saturday’s game against Utah.

Meanwhile, the Jazz wrapped up a brief two-game homestand with a 1-1 mark and ended a two-game slide with a 97-93 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday.

Mehmet Okur poured in 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds after the Jazz learned that forward Carlos Boozer is expected to miss four to six weeks with a hairline fracture in his left fibula.

Paul Millsap scored 15 points and grabbed eight boards for the Northwest Division-leading Jazz, who are 13-11 away from Salt Lake City this season. Deron Williams scored 14 points, grabbed six boards and tallied seven assists in the winning effort.

Saturday’s showdown between division leaders is the third of four meetings this season. Utah has won both matchups so far and three straight overall.

Utah has won four of seven and five of its last nine trips to Phoenix.