NBA | Suns rip Raptors; Iverson scores 51

TORONTO - Leandro Barbosa scored 35 points, Canadian star Steve Nash had a season-high 18 assists, and the Phoenix Suns set a season high in points, beating the Toronto Raptors, 136-123, last night.

Shawn Marion had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns, who have won four straight and 12 of their past 13.

Amare Stoudamire had 25 points and six rebounds, failing to record his fourth straight double-double.

Nash scored 10 points in his only appearance of the regular season in Canada, and received a loud ovation during the pregame introductions.

Lakers 111, Nuggets 107

DENVER - Allen Iverson's 51-point effort was not enough as Denver lost to Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 25 points.

Pistons 91, Hornets 76

NEW ORLEANS - Richard Hamilton scored 21 points to help Detroit win its fifth straight, over New Orleans.

Chauncey Billups scored 18 for Detroit, while Rasheed Wallace had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyson Chandler had 17 points and 22 rebounds for New Orleans, which had won three of its previous four games.

Rockets 105, Grizzlies 92

HOUSTON - Tracy McGrady had his third career triple-double and Yao Ming had 24 points and 13 rebounds to help Houston beat Memphis.

McGrady, who was cold shooting from the field early, finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

Knicks 100, Nets 93

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Jamal Crawford scored 29 points, Zach Randolph added 25, and New York overcame the absences of two starters to beat New Jersey.

With point guard Stephon Marbury and center Eddy Curry unavailable, reserves Fred Jones and David Lee stepped into the lineup and both finished in double figures.

Wizards 105, Cleveland 86

WASHINGTON - Caron Butler had 27 points to lead Washington past Cleveland.

The Cavaliers have lost four straight without LeBron James, sidelined with a sprained left index finger, and do they miss him.

Bulls 91, Bobcats 82

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Luol Deng scored 30 points and Chicago dominated the fourth quarter to send Charlotte to its seventh straight loss.

Andres Nocioni scored 10 of his 15 points in the final quarter and added 11 rebounds.

Varejao to play for Cavs

. Anderson Varejao will play for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season after all. The Cavaliers matched the Charlotte Bobcats' $17 million, three-year offer sheet for the restricted free agent, ending a contract dispute that gives Cleveland some much needed help.