Suns finally look like their old selves

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Shaquille O’Neal project in Phoenix is progressing, perhaps a bit slower than some might have expected.

Steve Nash had 25 points and 13 assists and O’Neal scored 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds, leading the Suns to a 127-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.

The recently acquired O’Neal had his best game as a Sun. Despite not playing the fourth quarter, O’Neal got his first double-double since joining the Phoenix lineup Feb. 20.

“I wasn’t going to put Shaq out there to go against three-point shooters,” said Phoenix Coach Mike D’Antoni of his decision to keep O’Neal on the bench in the final quarter. “Against big guys, Shaq will be able to keep us [away] from double-teaming down, but at the same time we need to run.”

O’Neal says he is beginning to understand his role on the team and he accepts it.

“I’m still trying to fit in,” O’Neal said. “While I’m fitting in I’m just trying to do little things like getting all the rebounds, ignite the break when they double hit the open guy.”

Nash had his first double-digit assist game with O’Neal on the team and the Suns made five of nine three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve still got a lot of things to work out and finding that cohesion,” Nash said. “It’s possible that it could take us the rest of the season.”

Amare Stoudamire scored 25 points for the Suns and Grant Hill had 23.

The Suns, who have won six in a row against the Grizzlies and three in a row in Memphis, stretched their lead to 14 in the second quarter on the strength of a 17-5 run.

Memphis, however, took the lead on Rudy Gay’s three-pointer only two minutes into the final quarter. The unfazed Suns then went on a 19-8 run to essentially put the game away.

Gay led the Grizzlies with a career-high 36 points. The Grizzlies have lost 12 of their last 13 games, their worst stretch of the season.