Suns edge Raptors

Raja Bell had 17 points while Amare Stoudemire netted 15 and grabbed eight rebounds for the Suns, who have won four in a row and five of their last six. Boris Diaw added 15 points and six boards in the win.

Toronto forward Chris Bosh returned to the starting lineup after missing the last 12 games with a left knee injury, and scored 26 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost three straight.

Toronto came out with a 13-5 spurt to begin the third quarter, capped by Bosh’s jumper, narrowing the gap to 65-58.

The Suns tallied nine of the next 12 points, highlighted by Leandro Barbosa’s trey, pushing the margin to 74-61. Phoenix took a 78-68 advantage into the final frame.

The Raptors took an 83-82 edge after beginning the fourth quarter with a 16-4 rally, which began with Morris Peterson’s three-point play. A pair of Darrick Martin threes cut the deficit to 82-79, two Anthony Parker free throws ended the burst with 7:18 to play for Toronto’s first lead of the contest.

The Suns scored nine of the next 11 for a 91-85 lead, but Toronto wouldn’t go away, scoring seven straight, capped by Bosh’s layup, for a 92-91 margin with 1:23 on the clock.

However, Nash quickly connected on a trey at the other end. Bosh’s three-point play gave the Raptors a 95-94 lead, but Nash drained a trio of free throws followed by a jumper with 11.5 seconds left extended the lead to 99-95.

Parker hit a three, but Shawn Marion hit 1-of-2 at the line with 3.8 ticks left.

Martin had a chance to win the game but his three hit the top of the backboard.

Phoenix led 29-23 after the opening 12 minutes of play.

Bosh, who scored 11 first-half points, tied the game at 41 with a dunk, but Phoenix closed the half with a 19-4 run, including three-point plays from Bell and Stoudemire, for a 60-45 lead.

Game Notes

The Raptors went 6-6 in Bosh’s absence...Marion finished with 13 points and nine rebounds while Barbosa donated 12 points...Parker ended with 16 points while Martin scored 14...Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani netted 17 for the Raptors, who shot 42 percent from the field, including 10-of-19 from long distance...Phoenix shot 46 percent from the floor...The Suns have won six consecutive meetings.