Suns top Nets, 161-157, in two overtimes

Two overtimes, 318 points, 34 lead changes, 21 ties and a dramatic showdown between two of the best point guards in the game.

The Phoenix Suns beat the New Jersey Nets, 161-157, Thursday night at East Rutherford, N.J., in a game that was as good as it gets in the NBA.

“I think we can go home and turn on Classic NBA,” Suns Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “It will be on there already. That’s the best game I have ever seen.”

Steve Nash scored nine of his career-high 42 points in the second overtime and Boris Diaw made a go-ahead shot in the lane with 14 seconds left to lead the Suns to their eighth straight victory in the game that matched the NBA’s fourth-highest points total. The Nets set a team record for points in a game.

Nets point guard Jason Kidd also tied Wilt Chamberlain for third place with 78 career triple-doubles. Kidd finished with 38 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists, but the point guard dribbled the ball off his foot with 10 seconds left, costing the Nets a chance to tie.

“It was a crazy game,” said Nash, who also had 13 assists. “They decided to run with us tonight. ... We were lucky to come out on top.”

Actually, the Suns dodged two bullets. Nash had to make a remarkable three-point shot at the end of regulation to force the overtime and then Kidd had a shot at the end of the first overtime rim out.

Vince Carter had 31 points before fouling out with 4.8 seconds left in regulation with the Nets ahead by three. He committed the foul thinking he only had four and that the foul would prevent Phoenix from trying a game-tying three-pointer.

Detroit 92, Dallas 82 -- The Pistons took a nine-point first-quarter lead and never let the Mavericks get as close as six until 1:17 left at Dallas.

Tayshaun Prince scored 20 points for Detroit, which led by as many as 18 in the second quarter on its way to ending Dallas’ 22-game home winning streak over Eastern Conference teams. Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points for Dallas.

Miami 93, Sacramento 91 -- Dwyane Wade had 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Heat to an overtime victory at Sacramento.

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Seattle guard Ray Allen will miss at least seven games because of a bone bruise in his right ankle.... Milwaukee forward Bobby Simmons is expected to miss the rest of the regular season because of surgeries on his ankle and foot.