Nash fires in season-high 37 points, Suns burn Bucks

Nash had 15 of his season-high 37 points in the final quarter, rallying the visiting Suns past the Milwaukee Bucks 114-105 on Tuesday night.

 "That's not my goal at the start of the night, but it definitely feels great to make shots," said Nash, who torched the Bucks for 35 points in a come from behind 122-114 victory on January 12. "I'd much rather have a bunch of assists and have everyone be on the score sheet. But it was one of those nights."

   Raja Bell scored 19 points while Amare Stoudemire had 19 with 12 rebounds for the Western Conference leading Suns (30-12) who outscored their hosts, 37-22 in the final frame to earn their fourth straight victory.

 Grant Hill added eight points in his first game back after missing the last seven following emergency appendectomy surgery on January 9.

 Michael Redd scored 28 points, but was held to two in the final period as the Bucks (16-26) fell for the sixth time in the last seven games. Bobby Simmons had 15 points and Charlie Villanueva finished with 14.

 The Bucks had a simple game plan, but Nash ruined it.

 "Our aim was to make Steve beat us and he did," said Bucks centre Andrew Bogut, who had 19 points and 13 rebounds. "You pick your poison by trying not to let Shawn Marion or Amare Stoudemire or any of the other guys get off. We don't think they did, but Nash did.

 "Steve plays his best basketball when he's getting 25 assists a game. We thought it would be closer if he was scoring 30 and the other guys were around 10. When he's distributing the ball the way he's capable of, we didn't think we had a chance."

   The Suns, who fell behind by as many as nine points, trailed 99-98 with 3:41 remaining. But Stoudemire hit the go-ahead layup, triggering a 16-6 closing run.

 Nash then connected on consecutive three-pointers that opened up a 106-99 advantage. After Redd hit two free throws at the other end, Nash set up Stoudemire and Shawn Marion for layups, making it 110-101 with 90 seconds to go.

 Bucks' Charlie Bell sank four free throws, but Nash countered with four  of his own to seal the victory.

 "We were rolling and let it get away," Redd said. "But give them credit. Steve Nash made some great shots to burn us. It's the second time he's scored over 30 plus on us this year. It was a tough game on us."

   Elsewhere:    Sacramento Kings 128, New Jersey Nets 98    Ron Artest scored 27 points, Kevin Martin had 19 and the host Kings routed the struggling Nets with their most lopsided victory of the season.

 Mike Bibby netted 15 points, Brad Miller and Beno Udrih added 14 apiece for the Kings (18-22) who hit 15 three-poiners en route to their third straight win and highest scoring game of the season.

 Vince Carter had 21 points and Richard Jefferson added 18 for the Nets (18-22) whose sixth straight losses, including 0-3 on their current six-game road trip matched a season-high.

By Paul Levine, dpa