Marion ends slump and Suns beat Nuggets

Shawn Marion ended a prolonged shooting slump with 33 points, and the Phoenix Suns overcame an 18-point deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets, 125-108, Friday night at Phoenix.

The victory avenged a 131-107 loss the Suns sustained at Denver on March 17 and kept them two games ahead of San Antonio for second place in the Western Conference. It also gave the Suns 54 wins, matching their total of last season.

Marion made 13 of 17 shots, scoring more than 20 points for the first time since Feb. 27 against Indiana. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 32 points.

The matchup could have been a preview of the opening round of the playoffs. If the season ended today, the teams would open the postseason at Phoenix, with the second-seeded Suns playing the seventh-seeded Nuggets.

Dallas 105, New York 103 -- Dirk Nowitzki took care of the personal milestone -- surpassing 15,000 points -- with his first shot. After his late surge, the Mavericks got their record. Nowitzki scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter at Dallas -- nine in a row during the final 1:56 -- as the Mavericks posted their franchise-record 61st victory.

Stephon Marbury had a season-high 43 points, but his final shot was blocked by Josh Howard and rebounded by Devean George as the game ended.

Toronto 123, Washington 118 -- Chris Bosh scored eight of his 37 points in overtime at Washington, and the Raptors remained in the third spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Wizards appeared to have clinched the win until Michael Ruffin’s celebratory heave landed in the hands of Raptors guard Morris Peterson, whose long three-point basket tied the score at 109-109 as the horn sounded ending regulation.

Philadelphia 88, Boston 82 -- The Celtics, who played without Paul Pierce (left elbow soreness) at Philadelphia, dropped to 2-23 this season without their leading scorer.

Charlotte 97, Milwaukee 81 -- The Bobcats pulled away in the third quarter at Charlotte, N.C., by dominating inside against the injury-plagued Bucks. It was their first victory over the Bucks in 10 meetings. Milwaukee lost its fifth in a row.

San Antonio 102, Utah 93 -- The Spurs have won 16 in a row at home against the Jazz. Both the Jazz and Spurs have clinched playoff spots, with San Antonio in third place in the Western Conference and Utah in fourth. The Jazz fell five games behind the Spurs.

Orlando 95, Indiana 87 -- The win at Orlando, Fla., was the Magic’s third in 10 days against the three teams battling it out for the last two playoff berths in the East. The Pacers lost for the 17th time in 19 games.

Miami 92, Minnesota 77 -- The Timberwolves (30-42), who were two for 18 from three-point range at Minneapolis-- one for 10 in the fourth quarter -- will finish with a losing record for the second season in a row.

Detroit 110, New Jersey 105 -- Reserves Lindsey Hunter and Antonio McDyess keyed a fourth-quarter rally at Detroit. They combined for 22 points -- making eight of 11 shots, including three three-pointers.

Seattle 120, Memphis 93 -- The Grizzlies’ only winning streak this season ended at Seattle. Memphis beat the Lakers on Tuesday and Portland on Thursday, the first time it won consecutive games.