MINNEAPOLIS — For all their victories and all their success in recent seasons, the Phoenix Suns had a heck of a time of late in icy Minnesota.

With three losses in their last four games at Target Center in mind, Suns coach Terry Porter decided to gas up the Diesel.

After resting Shaquille O'Neal a night earlier in Oklahoma City, the big fella had 18 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks to help the balanced Suns to a 110-102 victory over the Timberwolves last night.

"They were able to handle us last year and we knew that coming into tonight so we wanted to get a win," Suns swingman Raja Bell said. "Shaq makes a big difference down there on the block so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it."

Steve Nash added 20 points and six assists in 27 minutes for the Suns, who were playing the second game of a back-to-back but still had enough in the tank to down the woeful Wolves.

Al Jefferson continued to dominate Phoenix with 28 points and 17 rebounds, including a franchise-record 12 on the offensive end. He averaged 30.5 points and 15.3 rebounds in four games against Phoenix last season.

"We've had a really hard time with Al," Nash said. "Tonight he scored and rebounded, but he really didn't break down our defense and create openings. It's big for us to have someone to match up with him like that."

Minnesota outrebounded Phoenix 49-36, but missed 11 free throws in the game and only managed a 10-8 edge in second-chance points despite grabbing 21 offensive rebounds.

Last season, the Suns dropped both games in Target Center. The first snapped a five-game winning streak and the second a four-gamer. Two years ago, their 17-game roll came to a screeching halt in the Twin Cities.

Acquired in a trade with Miami at the deadline last season, O'Neal wasn't around for any of those games. His presence made a world of difference last night.

"We just had to gut it out," O'Neal said. "Guys are tired. Cold city. Just one of those days where we were laying around all day."

RAPTORS 93, BOBCATS 86

TORONTO — Chris Bosh had 39 points and 11 rebounds, Joey Graham added 17 points and both scored on consecutive possessions after Charlotte closed to 89-86 with 2:39 left to help Toronto end a two-game losing streak.

CAVS 117, THUNDER 82

CLEVELAND — Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 17 points and LeBron James played just 17 minutes, tying his career low, and scored 14 points, as Cleveland routed Oklahoma City, which fell to 0-3 under interim coach Scott Brooks, who took over when P.J. Carlesimo was fired Nov. 22.

HAWKS 102, BUCKS 96

ATLANTA — Al Horford scored 21 points and converted a key three-point play for a 94-89 lead with 1:48 remaining and Atlanta converted 5 of 6 free throws in the final 50 seconds to turn back Milwaukee.

SPURS 98, BULLS 88

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan scored 21 points, rookie George Hill added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Ime Udoka's second 3-pointer during a 9-0 run run gave San Antonio a 72-69 lead it never lost with 2:30 left in the third quarter.

MAGIC 96, 76ERS 94

PHILADELPHIA — Dwight Howard had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Rashard Lewis scored 19 points, including a 3-pointer from the left wing with 4.7 seconds left, as Orlando held off Philadelphia after Andre Miller's 40-footer at the buzzer came up short.

PISTONS 110, KNICKS 96

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Richard Hamilton scored 17 points to lead seven teammates in double figures as Detroit beat undermanned New York, which suited up just eight players when Nate Robinson missed the game with a groin strain.

PACERS 91, ROCKETS 90

HOUSTON — Troy Murphy scored 14 of his 21 points in the final quarter and Danny Granger tipped in his own miss with 13 seconds left as Indiana rallied from a 84-74 deficit with 6:28 to go to end a three-game losing streak at Houston.

CELTICS 119, WARRIORS 111

BOSTON — Ray Allen scored 25 points, Rajon Rondo had 22 and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett each contributed 21 as Boston overcame a 14-point, third-quarter deficit to rally past Golden State for its sixth straight victory.

JAZZ 117, GRIZZLIES 100

SALT LAKE CITY — Deron Williams, who missed seven straight games with a sprained left ankle, had 11 points and 15 assists in his return to the lineup as Utah handed Memphis its fourth straight loss and its eighth in nine games.

TRAIL BLAZERS 106, HEAT 68

PORTLAND — Reserve Channing Frye scored 17 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 16, and Greg Oden, sporting a clean-shaven look for the first time this season, had 10 points and 10 rebounds, as Portland pounded Miami.

NETS 116, KINGS 114

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Vince Carter scored 25 points and Devin Harris added 18, including a short jumper for a 115-114 lead with 12 seconds left in overtime, as New Jersey beat Sacramento for its first win at Arco Arena since Nov. 30, 1997.

NUGGETS 106, CLIPPERS 105

LOS ANGELES — Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and hit a go-ahead jumper with 1:15 remaining to give Denver the lead for good at 105-103 in a victory over Los Angeles, which rallied to tie after trailing by 10 with five minutes to play.