The Phoenix Suns bench players keyed a second-quarter comeback from a double-digit deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 101-85 in the NBA Monday. Goran Dragic scored 10 first-half points off the bench and the reserves scored 24 of 33 second-quarter points. Amare Stoudemire had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who won their fifth straight at home and their sixth in seven games overall. Phoenix has won 10 straight at home against the Nuggets dating to 2003-04. Hawks 116, Bulls 92: In Chicago, Atlanta pulled away after being challenged in the fourth quarter and comfortably beat Chicago. Jamal Crawford scored 21 points and Josh Smith added 17 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for the Hawks, whose 18-point, second-quarter lead was cut to five early in the fourth. Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 24 points despite missing most of the first quarter after hurting his right knee. Mavericks 89, Bobcats 84: In Charlotte, North Carolina, surging Dallas spoiled Charlotte's first game since Michael Jordan agree to buy the team. Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and Jason Terry had several key late baskets for the Mavericks, who notched an eighth straight win despite trailing by 12 points in the third quarter. Stephen Jackson scored 20 points, but also had six of Charlotte's 20 turnovers. The Bobcats dropped to 0-12 against the Mavericks, the only team they've never beaten. Cavaliers 124, Knicks 93: In Cleveland, the hosts used a 74-point first half to hammer New York in the Cavaliers' first game since learning Shaquille O'Neal will miss the rest of the regular season. The Cavs didn't miss the 15-time All-Star, who had surgery on his injured right thumb Monday and is expected to miss two months. The team is hopeful he will return for at least part of the playoffs. LeBron James had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Cleveland, which notched its biggest winning margin of the season. The Cavaliers equaled a season high with its 74-point first half as well as outrebounding New York 60-31 and leading by as much as 49. They have won eight straight against New York. Reserve Bill Walker scored 21 points for the Knicks. Trail Blazers 103, Grizzlies 93: In Memphis, Tennessee, Portland erased a 14-point first-half deficit with a strong third quarter and defeated Memphis. Brandon Roy scored 25 points and Nicolas Batum added 21 as the Trail Blazers ended their five-game road trip with four victories. They also solidified their hold on the Western Conference's eighth playoff spot. The win was the seventh straight road win for Portland over the Grizzlies. Meanwhile, Memphis' home losing streak reached seven. Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with 22 points. Spurs 106, Hornets 92: In New Orleans, George Hill scored 23 points to lead San Antonio over New Orleans. Tim Duncan added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, who shot 51 percent and led by 20 in the third quarter before holding on without much drama. Hornets rookie Marcus Thornton was 6 of 7 from 3-point range, setting a career high for 3s in a game, and scored 30 points. Magic 126, 76ers 105: In Philadelphia, Jameer Nelson had 22 points and 10 assists as Orlando downed Philadelphia. Clipper 108, Jazz 104: In Los Angeles, Los Angeles nearly blew a 17-point lead in the final 6½ minutes before beating Utah. Rockets 116, Raptors 92: In Houston, Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks scored 28 points each in three quarters as Houston rolled to a win over struggling Toronto.
