Nuggets 105, Suns 99
NUGGETS 105, SUNS 99: Arron Afflalo scored 30 points, including a key 3-pointer with 48 seconds left, as host Denver scored the final nine points and moved two games ahead of ninth-place Phoenix.
Afflalo’s shot gave the Nuggets a 103-99 lead and helped clinch their fifth straight victory over the Suns.
Al Harrington recorded 23 points off the bench and Andre Miller scored eight of Denver’s final 11 points to finish with 15, and added seven rebounds and seven assists. Rookie Kenneth Faried added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Steve Nash had 14 points and 11 assists and Channing Frye collected 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Marcin Gortat had 14 rebounds, Shannon Brown scored 18 points and Jared Dudley added 17.
Harrington made three straight 3-pointers bridging the third and fourth quarters to help Denver take an 86-79 lead before Phoenix went on a 13-1 run, including seven points by Michael Redd (15 points).
Nash scored five straight Phoenix points to give the Suns a 99-96 advantage with 3:09 to go before Denver took over.
Phoenix led 29-21 after one quarter before Denver scored 26 of the next 36 points, including 13 by Afflalo. Nash responded with five straight points and the Suns finished the first half on a 13-5 run to make it 52-52.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Suns fell to 14-7 since the All-Star break. … Rookie Jordan Hamilton made his first career start for the Nuggets and responded with 11 points and five rebounds in 17 minutes. … The Nuggets used their 22nd different starting lineup. … Denver had a season-low five turnovers.