SUNS 96, MAVERICKS 94: Steve Nash scored 11 points and dished out 11 assists to lead host Phoenix to its first win over Dallas in the last nine tries.

Jared Dudley scored 18 points while Marcin Gortat chipped in with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who improved to 6-2 in their last eight while sending the Mavericks to their fifth straight road loss.

Nash, surrounded by trade rumors, willed his team back in the game after Phoenix trailed by 12 points in the third quarter. The NBA’s assist leader sparked an 18-4 run to help the Suns take a 78-76 lead into the final frame.

Phoenix built the lead to double figures before holding off a late push from Dallas, which lost for the sixth time in eight contests.

Grant Hill missed two free throws with 15.4 seconds remaining to give the Mavericks a chance on the final possession. However, Rodrigue Beaubois missed two opportunities in the dying moments.

Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter each scored 18 points while Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd contributed 12 points apiece for Dallas. Lamar Odom put in his best performance since missing time with personal issues with 15 points off the bench.

A thunderous put-back jam by Shannon Brown extended the Suns’ lead to 10 points with 7:33 remaining in the game. Phoenix's bench scored 31 points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Carter scored career point 20,884, passing Bob Pettit for 32nd on the all-time list. … Mavericks C Brendan Haywood missed his second game with a sprained ankle. … Phoenix outscored Dallas 27-6 over a nine-minute span in the second half. ... Dallas is playing back-to-back-to-back road games.