Phoenix earns home edge in first round

Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points and Steve Nash had 18 points and 10 assists before sitting out the fourth quarter while the Phoenix reserves completed a 123-101 rout of the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night that gave the Suns home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Suns made 14 of 24 three-pointers, 11 of 17 in the first three quarters.

The Suns can finish no worse than No. 4 in the West and would be No. 3 if they win at Utah on Wednesday. Denver, which finished its regular season, would get the No. 4 spot and a first-round home-court edge if Phoenix beats the Jazz.

Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points to lead the Nuggets.

-- Associated Press