OKLAHOMA CITY — When his two-time MVP left the game with back spasms, Phoenix Suns coach Terry Porter ran his offense through another former MVP nearly twice the point guard's size: Shaquille O'Neal.

O'Neal moved into ninth place on the NBA's career scoring list with 28 points and 12 rebounds, and the Suns overcame the loss of Steve Nash to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 110-102, last night.

Nash played only 9 minutes before his back spasms struck and Amare Stoudemire was hounded by foul trouble, but the Suns still had plenty of firepower to overwhelm the NBA-worst Thunder.

"When Nash went down and then Amare got in trouble, Shaq became really our point guard and our scorer at times," Porter said.

O'Neal had an easy time against the Thunder's undermanned front line, going 10 for 12 and passing Dominique Wilkins for ninth place on the league's career scoring list. It was his fourth-highest scoring output of the season and his 10th double-double.

"I've been telling them all year: 'When they get it to me and let me do what I do, I can still put up those numbers.' Just because I'm 35, sometimes they think that he's old, he can't do it," O'Neal said.

Pistons 88, Magic 82: Rodney Stuckey led a balanced attack with 19 points and host Detroit won its fourth straight game.

Timberwolves 108, Grizzlies 98: Al Jefferson scored a season-high 38 points, including nine in overtime, and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead host Minnesota over Memphis.

Hawks 109, Nuggets 91: Joe Johnson scored 25 points as Atlanta beat Denver to complete an eight-game homestand with a 7-1 record.

Bulls 100, Nets 87: Rookie Derrick Rose had 21 points and a season-high 13 assists as visiting Chicago beat New Jersey.

Wizards 89, Rockets 87: Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 30 points as Washington snapped a five-game road losing streak.

Warriors 117, Raptors 111: Stephen Jackson scored 30 points and Marco Belinelli added 23 to lead host Golden State over Toronto.

Jazz 112, 76ers 95: Deron Williams scored 27 points to help Utah beat visiting Philadelphia.

NOTES

Clippers: Swingman Ricky Davis was suspended five games yesterday for violating terms of the NBA's drug program.