Suns do it with offense

Ironically, the Suns are a perfect 4-0 when they don’t reach the century mark.

Phoenix, which has won the Pacific Division the last two seasons, is 18-7 and leads the second place Los Angeles Lakers by 1 1/2 games.

The Suns attempt to get back on the winning track when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at US Airways Center. It is the second meeting of the season between the squads. On November 26th, Raja Bell scored 30 points and reigning MVP Steve Nash had 23 points and 10 assists to lead the Suns over Portland, 119-101, at the Rose Garden.

The Suns have won three in a row and seven of the last eight contests against the Trail Blazers, who have lost four straight at Phoenix.

Phoenix had its franchise-best 15-game winning streak halted on Friday at US Airways Center. Gilbert Arenas poured in 54 points, as the Washington Wizards defeated the Suns, 144-139, in an overtime thriller.

Nash posted a career-high matching 42 points and 12 assists in the loss to Washington for the Suns, who arrived about two hours before tip off after having been snowed in Denver for two nights. All-Star forward Shawn Marion had 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Boris Diaw netted 17 and handed out 11 assists in defeat.

The Suns are 10-3 at home this season. They will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday at American Airlines Center. Dallas knocked off the Suns, 119-112, on November 12th at US Airways Center.

Six players on the Suns’ roster are averaging double-digits in scoring. Nash leads the club with a 20.3 average, Marion has netted 19.9 per game, Amare Stoudemire 17.5 per contest, Leandro Barbosa 16.5, Bell 15.2 and Diaw 10.9 points per game.

Marion leads the Suns in rebounding (9.4 rpg), while Nash has dished out a team-best 11.6 assists per game.