PHOENIX, Arizona, (Reuters) – The Phoenix Suns improved to a perfect 8-0 at home with a down-to-the-wire 106-103 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Amare Stoudemire scored 28 points and dunked a crucial offensive rebound with 6.9 seconds left to help the Suns fend off the Magic.
Steve Nash added 20 points and 18 assists as Phoenix (16-7) remained the only team in the NBA without a loss at home.
“It’s a win that we desperately needed obviously, with the schedule that we have coming up,” said Suns coach Alvin Gentry. “It’s very important for us to keep this thing going at home.”
Rashard Lewis led Orlando with 24 points and Mickael Pietrus had 23 for the visitors who battled back from down 14 points in the third quarter.
It was the second loss in as many nights for the Magic (17-6), who fell to the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
Orlando led by one with 1:23 left before a jump shot by Grant Hill put the Suns on top 104-103 with 1:08 remaining.
The Magic had a missed shot and a turnover on their next two possessions before Stoudemire sealed the game with his big rebound putback.
“Turnovers have been a big problem,” said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. “(Also) we didn’t get rebounds in key situations. We went bigger, we just can’t get rebounds when it counts.”
Orlando has not won in Phoenix since 2001 and has now lost consecutive road games after winning their previous eight.
Dwight Howard had 10 points and 18 rebounds but just one field goal after being sent to the line for 17 free throws by the Suns.
Jared Dudley provided 19 points off the bench for Phoenix which got off to a fast start and led by as much as 19 early in the second quarter.
The Suns have played a league-high 15 games on the road yet are still tied for the second best record in the Western Conference.