TORONTO — Still seething from an overtime defeat in Denver and a narrow home loss to Minnesota, Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire pegged yesterday's game in Toronto as a must-win. And with the Raptors charging in the fourth quarter, Stoudemire took over.

Stoudemire scored 31 points, Steve Nash had a season-high 18 assists and the Suns beat Toronto, 117-113, for their ninth consecutive victory over the struggling Raptors.

"After a tough loss to Minnesota, it felt like this was a win we definitely needed," Stoudemire said.

Jason Richardson added 17 points, Shaquille O'Neal and Matt Barnes each had 16 and Leandro Barbosa scored 14 for Phoenix.

Stoudemire scored 11 points in the fourth as the Suns won the opener of a six-game road trip.

"We're a different team when he plays at that level," Suns coach Terry Porter said of Stoudemire. "It makes it very difficult for teams to match up with us with Shaq on the floor, and other weapons we have, when he brings that type of energy and scoring power."

Nash sealed it for Phoenix on a driving layup with 12.9 seconds to play, and drew rave reviews for his distribution.

"That's something Steve has been doing ever since we've been together," Stoudemire said. "The way Steve was playing tonight, he played phenomenal."

Nash, who made just two turnovers, didn't mind taking only six shots in more than 36 minutes.

"I try to draw two defenders and find an open teammate and tonight Amare was doing a great job of finishing," Nash said.

Anthony Parker led Toronto with 26, Joey Graham scored a career-high 22 and Chris Bosh had 20 points and 12 rebounds as Toronto lost its fifth straight.

HEAT 104, THUNDER 94

OKLAHOMA CITY — Dwyane Wade had 32 points and 10 assists to help Miami hold off Oklahoma City.

Yakhouba Diawara added 14 points after starting in place of the injured Shawn Marion. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 31 points.

NOTE

Jazz: Jerry Sloan will return as Utah's coach for the 2009-2010 season. The Jazz said yesterday that Sloan agreed to a one-year contract extension that will mark his 22nd season at Utah. Details of the contract were not available.