Raptors suspend guard Alston

Alston was suspended by head coach Sam Mitchell after an incident at practice on Saturday. The coach indicated that trouble was brewing since an incident with Alston earlier in the season at Boston.

"It’s tough when you have to do that," said Mitchell. "(But) you have to do it because there are rules. It’s more important for me to be respected than liked."

Alston missed Sunday’s loss to Phoenix and will also sit out Wednesday’s road contest against the Indiana Pacers.

In 44 games this season, the former playground legend is averaging 14.0 points, 7.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per contest.

Amare Stoudemire scored 19 of his 27 points in the third quarter, as Phoenix routed Toronto, 123-105 at the Air Canada Centre Sunday.

Chris Bosh tied his season-high with 27 points and Morris Peterson finished with 24 for Toronto, which has lost four of its last five games. Jalen Rose had 21 for the Raptors.

Phoenix led by 12 at halftime before outscoring the Raptors, 46-26 in the third quarter. The 46 points are the most points the Raptors have allowed in any quarter in their 10-year history.

Toronto fell to 0-22 when allowing opponents to score 100 points. The Raptors did finished 7-of-14 from three-point range to extend their streak to 495 straight games with at least one three.