Suns Race Past Rockets, 109-75

Steve Nash had 21 points and eight assists and fellow All-Star Shawn Marion added 16 points and 12 rebounds, to help the Suns rout the Houston Rockets, 109-75, Thursday night at Phoenix for their fourth consecutive victory.

The Suns go into the All-Star break with a 35-17 record and a 4 1/2 -game lead over the Clippers in the Pacific Division. Phoenix is 18 games over .500 for the first time this season.

Chicago 117, Philadelphia 84 -- Ben Gordon scored nine of his 21 points during a 16-0 third-quarter run at Chicago, and the Bulls recorded their most lopsided victory of the season. Chicago entered the All-Star break two games behind the 76ers in the race for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. Allen Iverson scored 18 points and Chris Webber added 14 for Philadelphia, which has lost six of its last eight.

For the 76ers, it’s the perfect time for a break, right?

To Webber, yes. To Iverson, no.

“Hopefully, this gives us time to figure some things out,” Webber said.

But Iverson said: “After a loss like this ... you just want to get right back on the court.”