Suns try to continue winning ways against Timberwolves

The Suns play the finale of a short two-game homestand. Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points as Phoenix held off the Portland Trail Blazers, 106-101, on Friday at US Airways Center.

Boris Diaw added 21 points for the red-hot Suns, who won their 12th straight contest and their 30th in the last 33 contests. Leandro Barbosa ended with 20 points, while reigning MVP Steve Nash had 13 points and 15 assists for Phoenix, which is three wins shy of tying its franchise best winning streak set earlier this season.

Phoenix is an impressive 18-3 at home this season. After tonight’s game, the Suns embark on a five-game road trip. They will visit Washington, New York, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Minnesota.

Minnesota tries to put the brakes on a two-game losing streak, as it opens a five-game road trip. Richard Hamilton scored 26 points, pulled down seven rebounds and dished out five assists as the Detroit Pistons outlasted the Timberwolves, 104-98, in double-overtime on Friday at the Target Center.

The game featured the ejection of Minnesota star Kevin Garnett and Detroit’s Antonio McDyess with the game even at 70 in the fourth quarter. McDyess used his forearm to knock over Minnesota’s Mark Madsen while looking for position on a rebound.

Garnett then became angry and fired the ball at McDyess, who ran at the All- Star with his fist up. Garnett backed up, but also readied himself to throw a punch. No actual blows were thrown as the officials stayed between the two big men to prevent any serious trouble.

Mark Blount had 22 points and 15 boards in the loss to Detroit for the Timberwolves, who lost their second consecutive outing after winning the previous three. Randy Foye, Trenton Hassell and Mike James all had 16 points, while Garnett finished with 14 points and 19 rebounds before being ejected.

Minnesota will be without the services of guard Ricky Davis, who was suspended one game for leaving the bench and walking into the locker room during the loss to the Pistons. Davis left the bench after Foye replaced him in the third quarter. He returned after a few minutes, but appeared to be upset. Davis did not address the media following the loss, nor did he speak to reporters after practice on Saturday.

Davis, the team’s second-leading scorer, is averaging 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and a team-best 4.4 assists per game.

The Timberwolves are 8-10 on the road this season. They will also visit Utah, Portland, Seattle and the Clippers on the swing.

This is the first of four meetings between the squads this season.

Minnesota has lost two of its last three at Phoenix. The Suns have won five of the last six contests in the series.