PHOENIX — Kobe Bryant used harsh language to describe how badly the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns twice in Los Angeles earlier this season.

"And they returned the favor," he said.

Boy did they.

The Suns reserves outscored their counterparts 52-31 to help Phoenix rout the reigning NBA champions, 118-103, last night.

Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points and Jared Dudley matched his career best with 19 for the Suns.

Bryant had 34 points but sat out the final 7:50 when the game was deemed out of reach by coach Phil Jackson.

Steve Nash had 16 points and 13 assists for the Suns, who improved to 12-2 at home.

The Lakers were without Ron Artest for the second consecutive game. He sustained a concussion and injured his left elbow in a fall at his house on Christmas Day.

"It's a big adjustment because we're a team that thrives on chemistry," Bryant said. "You take him out of the lineup, now you're mixing lineups."

WARRIORS 103, CELTICS 99

Monta Ellis scored 37 points and converted two free throws with 2.3 seconds left, and host Golden State rallied from an early 18-point deficit to beat Boston. Anthony Randolph added 18 points for the Warriors.

THUNDER 105, NETS 89

Kevin Durant matched his season high with 40 points and visiting Oklahoma City sent New Jersey to its 10th straight loss and second double-digit losing streak of the season. New Jersey set an NBA record with 18 straight losses to start the season.

GRIZZLIES 116, WIZARDS 111

O.J. Mayo scored 28 points, Zach Randolph had six of his 23 points in overtime and host Memphis beat Washington. Marc Gasol finished with 20 points for Washington.

BOBCATS 94, BUCKS 84

Gerald Wallace had 21 points and 14 rebounds and host Charlotte beat Milwaukee. Flip Murray added 16 points for the Bobcats, who built a 22-point halftime lead.

76ERS 104, BLAZERS 93

Elton Brand had a season-high 25 points and nine rebounds in a reserve role, leading visiting Philadelphia over Portland. Brand made 9 of 20 shots in 30 minutes to help Philadelphia rally from a 10-point second-half deficit.

KINGS 106, NUGGETS 101

Andres Nocioni made four 3-pointers and scored a season-high 21 points, helping host Sacramento beat Denver. Beno Udrih scored 17 points and had seven assists for the Kings.

ELSEWHERE

Rockets: A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press that Tracy McGrady's representatives asked Houston to trade him. The seven-time All-Star has been asking for more playing time as he tries to come back from offseason microfracture surgery on his left knee.

Knicks: Benched New York guard Nate Robinson was fined $25,000 by the NBA after his agent made a trade request. Agent Aaron Goodwin recently told reporters he'd asked the Knicks to move Robinson to another team. Robinson was fined for statements detrimental to the NBA.