PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Steve Nash put the ball through the net and Boris Diaw did the distrubuting.

Nash and Shawn Marion scored 21 points apiece and Diaw tied a career-high with 13 assists as the Phoenix Suns pulled away in the fourth quarter en route to a 107-96 triumph over the Denver Nuggets.

Nash, who entered as the NBA's assist leader at 10.7 per game, dished out six assists while making 5-of-11 shots from the arc. Marion made 10-of-20 shots and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Diaw had 13 points and eight boards for the Suns, who had six players in double figures.

Holding a 79-75 lead after three quarters, Phoenix started the closing period on a 9-2 run for a 88-77 cushion with 8:04 remaining. Diaw connected with Marion for the basket to cap the spurt.

With 7:35 to go, Tim Thomas drained a 3-pointer to ignite a barrage of four consecutive shots from long range. Nash then drilled back-to-back 3-pointers and Raja Bell hit a shot from the arc for a 100-86 advantage with 5:43 remaining.

Phoenix (47-21) cruised thereafter as it ended Denver's three-game winning streak and moved closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, who played in just his second game of the season since returning from knee surgery, contributed six points and five rebounds before sitting out much of the second half.

Carmelo Anthony scored 17 of his 28 points in the first half to pace Denver (40-31), which holds a seven-game lead over Utah in the Northwest Division.

Andre Miller collected 24 points and six assists and Marcus Camby pulled down 15 rebounds for the Nuggets, who committed 22 turnovers.