Stoudemire, Suns Don’t Miss a Beat

Amare Stoudemire had a message for the Western Conference on Thursday night.

“Amare Stoudemire’s back,” he said after finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes to spark the Suns to a 125-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix.

Stoudemire, who missed the first 66 games after surgery on his left knee Oct. 11, was seven for 14 from the field. Phoenix scored 76 first-half points, most in the NBA this season.

Stoudemire was among seven Suns in double figures -- Shawn Marion also had 20 -- as Phoenix ended a two-game losing streak.

Without Stoudemire, the Suns cruised to first place in the Pacific Division and are close to clinching the No. 2 seeding in the Western Conference. With him, the Suns like their shot at the franchise’s first NBA title.

“You watch people play, we’re as good as anybody,” Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I believe we can [win a title]. He’ll help.”

Golden State 122, Dallas 121 -- Jason Richardson scored 40 points, including a three-pointer with seven-tenths of a second left, to help the Warriors overcome Dirk’s Nowitzki’s 51 points at Dallas.

Golden State trailed, 121-119, after Jason Terry made one of two free throws with 4.7 seconds left. Richardson then dribbled the length of the court and made his three-pointer from the top of the key.

New Jersey 86, Minnesota 82 -- Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson scored 21 points apiece and Clifford Robinson made two three-point baskets in the final minutes to help the host Nets win their seventh in a row.

Houston 93, New Orleans 92 -- Yao Ming and Rafer Alston had 22 points each at Oklahoma City to help the Rockets end a six-game losing streak.

The Hornets have lost nine of 10 games.

Washington 109, Utah 97 -- Gilbert Arenas scored 31 points and the Wizards set a franchise record with 16 three-pointers in a victory at Salt Lake City. Carlos Boozer scored 30 points for the Jazz.