Nash scores 37 points as Suns handle Bucks

MILWAUKEE -- Steve Nash scored 15 of his season-high 37 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Phoenix Suns past the Milwaukee Bucks 114-105 on Tuesday night.

The Suns (30-12), who have the NBA's second-best record behind Boston (33-6), became the first Western Conference team to reach 30 victories. Phoenix has won four straight since its 97-90 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last Tuesday.

Amare Stoudemire added 19 points, including 10 in the final period, and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Raja Bell scored 8 of his 19 points in the final quarter.

Grant Hill was also back in the Suns' starting lineup, less than two weeks after undergoing an appendectomy. He had 8 points in 27 minutes after missing seven games while recuperating from the surgery Jan. 9.

Michael Redd led the Bucks with 28 points, but he scored only two in the fourth quarter when he missed all 3 of his shots for Milwaukee. Andrew Bogut added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Bobby Simmons had 15 points for the Bucks, who have lost six of seven.

Charlie Bell's 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter gave Milwaukee its biggest lead at 86-77, but the Suns refused to fold after trailing most of the second half.

Raja Bell hit a jumper, converted a 3-point play and hit a 3 to spark a 29-13 run that ended on Nash's 3-pointer -- his third during the stretch -- which gave the Suns a 106-99 lead with 2:06 to play.

Redd made 2 free throws, but then Stoudemire took a pass from Nash and scored. Shawn Marion made a basket and Phoenix had a 110-101 lead with 57 seconds left to play and the game in hand.

The Bucks could only manage free throws in the final four minutes.