Suns Add to Gloom for Timberwolves

The smiling, high-scoring Phoenix Suns left the Minnesota Timberwolves feeling envious.

Amare Stoudemire had 23 points, five of his teammates scored in double digits and the Suns beat the struggling Timberwolves, 108-79, Wednesday night at Minneapolis.

“That team reminds me of how we played last year, with our confidence,” Minnesota’s Fred Hoiberg said. “They expect to win every time they step on the floor.”

Phoenix, which led by 40 points late in the third quarter, handed the Timberwolves their fourth-worst home loss. The Suns also finished 5-1 on their six-game trip and moved within a half-game of San Antonio for the league’s best record.

“We were up by 40 and had a chance to go up 50, maybe even 60,” Stoudemire said. “But we took the fourth quarter off.”

Wally Szczerbiak scored 16 points for Minnesota (24-22), which tied a team record by attempting only five free throws and fell to ninth place in the Western Conference. Minnesota also lost Sam Cassell to a bruised right shoulder in the first half.

Toronto 98, Indiana 97 -- Chris Bosh had 25 points and 15 rebounds, and Jalen Rose made two free throws with 0.4 seconds left at Indianapolis to send the Pacers to their sixth consecutive loss despite leading by 19 points in the third quarter.

The Pacers led, 97-96, with 1.9 seconds left, but Rose was fouled by Stephen Jackson.

Jackson led Indiana with 18 points but missed his final six shots. The team remained winless in five games since his return from a 30-game suspension following the Nov. 19 brawl in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Sacramento 111, Golden State 107 -- Brad Miller scored four of his career-high 38 points in the final 10.8 seconds of overtime at Oakland to help the Kings win without Chris Webber (knee), Peja Stojakovic (back) and Cuttino Mobley (back). Jason Richardson had 37 points for the Warriors.

Houston 118, Philadelphia 95 -- Tracy McGrady made five three-point baskets and finished with 34 points and nine assists at Philadelphia to help knock the 76ers out of first place in the Atlantic Division. Philadelphia fell a half-game behind Boston.

Allen Iverson had 28 points for the 76ers.

Boston 110, New Jersey 89 -- Paul Pierce had 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and the Celtics broke the game open with a 23-10 run before halftime at Boston. Jason Kidd had 25 points for New Jersey and fell one three-point basket shy of tying his career high with seven.

Detroit 99, Atlanta 84 -- Chauncey Billups scored 27 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., to help the Pistons to their fifth consecutive victory.

Dallas 90, New Orleans 82 -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and the Mavericks led by double digits for much of the game in winning at New Orleans. Dan Dickau had 18 points for the Hornets.

Portland 97, Denver 94 -- Nick Van Exel had 26 points to help end the visiting Nuggets’ three-game winning streak under new Coach George Karl. Andre Miller had 27 points for Denver, but Carmelo Anthony had only seven on three-of-14 shooting.