Suns try again to clinch Pacific title against Timberwolves

A win for the Suns would give them their third straight Pacific Division crown. Phoenix is 4 1/2 games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Phoenix opens a short two-game homestand. On Saturday, Allen Iverson poured in 44 points and dished out 15 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 131-107 victory over the Suns at the Pepsi Center.

Leandro Barbosa scored 25 points for the Suns, while reigning MVP Steve Nash scored 15 points and tallied 10 assists for Phoenix, which has lost two straight after a six-game winning streak.

The Suns are 26-7 at home this season. They will host Mike Bibby and the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

The Timberwolves are 2 1/2 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Minnesota plays the third of a five-game road trip. Superstar Kobe Bryant followed up his 65-point performance by pouring in 50 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Timberwolves, 109-102, on Sunday at the Staples Center.

Ricky Davis scored 33 points in the loss to the Lakers for the Timberwolves, who have lost four of their last five games overall. All-Star Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have lost 10 straight road games.

Mike James added 18 points and 11 assists against the Lakers for Minnesota, which has not won on the road since defeating the Clippers on January 27th at the Staples Center.

The Timberwolves are 9-24 on the road this season. They are scheduled to visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday.