PHOENIX — Steve Nash scored eight straight points in the final 3 minutes and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets for the eighth straight time at home, 108-101 tonight.

Nash's first big basket gave the Suns a 101-98 lead. After Chauncey Billups tied it with a 3-pointer, Nash connected on two 3-pointers, giving Phoenix a 107-101 lead. A free throw by Shaquille O'Neal completed the scoring.

Nash finished with 16 points and 11 assists. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 27 points and 10 rebounds — his 10th game in a row with at least 20 points. O'Neal had 19 points and nine rebounds, Jason Richardson also scored 19, and Grant Hill had 11.

Hill also did a strong job on Carmelo Anthony, holding the Nuggets' leading scorer to 10 points — 11 below his average.

Reserve JR Smith topped the Nuggets with 23 points.