Suns try to set on Boston

Phoenix opened the road trip with Thursday’s 161-157 double overtime victory against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. The fans certainly got their money’s worth, as the two clubs were a part of the highest scoring game in the NBA this season. The game also tied for the fourth highest-scoring contest in NBA history and the highest since 1990.

Steve Nash had a career-high 42 points, 13 assists and buried the game-tying three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation. Nash later hit two free throws to put Phoenix up 161-157 with four seconds left in double OT.

Shawn Marion finished with 33 points, while Raja Bell ended with 24 for the Suns, who have won three straight on the road and are 1-0 on a five-game road trip to New Jersey, Boston, Charlotte, Orlando and Miami.

Phoenix is 3-4 away from US Airways Center this season.

Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Phoenix pulled within a half-game of the Los Angeles Lakers for the top spot in the Pacific Division.

Boston, meanwhile, has dropped four in a row, including Wednesday’s 98-96 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Banknorth Garden.

Paul Pierce poured in 25 points for the Celtics and Gerald Green netted 21 points off the bench. Ryan Gomes and Delonte West added 12 points apiece for Boston, which is 3-7 as the host this season.

Boston forward Wally Szczerbiak has missed two straight games with a sprained left ankle and is expected to miss tonight’s contest as well. The team is also without center Kendrick Perkins, who is sidelined with plantar fasciitis and could miss up to four weeks.

The Suns went 2-0 against Boston last season and has won three of the last four meetings. Phoenix, which is 7-2 in its last nine matchups with Boston, has also won four in a row in Beantown.