It was the one-year anniversary of the Suns’ acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal and the Suns celebrated it by capturing a 115-105 home victory over the Warriors. Grant Hill played inspired basketball, leading five Phoenix players in double figures and shooting 12-of-17 from the floor to finish with a season-high 27 points.

“We did a good job of moving the ball offensively, getting attempts at the basket and had a good mix of things,” Suns head Coach Terry Porter said. “I just thought defensively we did a much better job of taking the challenge really making those guys work for everything that they had at the offensive end.”

A game after a dispiriting performance against Golden State, Phoenix bounced back with vigor, racing out to a 15-2 lead in the first quarter. Despite Shaq being saddled to the bench with two quick fouls, the Suns reverted to their fast break-ways, running all over the small-ball-playing Warriors. The Suns received nine points apiece from Amar’e Stoudemire and Hill, posting 31 points in the opening period.

“I was upset with myself the last game in Golden State because I felt that I didn’t play hard,” Hill said. “I was kind of waiting for this game. I couldn’t sleep today.”

The Warriors would answer, however, holding the lead as late as two minutes left in the third period. But in the fourth, Phoenix answered the bell, thanks to the defensive efforts of their captains. Both Hill and Steve Nash led the charge in actually picking up charges, drawing three apiece. Each player drew one of those momentum-changing fouls late in the fourth at critical moments.

Despite struggling from the floor early, Nash found his stride late in the action, nailing a backbreaking, 19-foot jumper with 31.6 ticks left to make it 113-105 and all but seal the win. The 6-3 guard followed that dagger with a similar jumper off of a pick-and-roll with 8.7 remaining for insurance. He finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals.

Jason Richardson, the Suns’ X-factor, proved his value once again by torching his former team for 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting. It is his third straight game where he has scored over 20 points, accomplishing that feat by making aggressive drives to the basket. Phoenix, which 24-8 when its shooting guard scores over 20 points, improved to 5-2 this season when J-Rich does it.

Although the Warriors are knows for their ability to run-and-gun, the Suns outscored Golden State 22-2 on fast break points in the first half. Phoenix finished with a 30-5 advantage in that category.

Capitalizing on mismatches near the basket, the Suns outscored the Warriors by 20 points in the paint. Not only were Richardson and Hill posting up smaller defenders, but Stoudemire was able to collect 19 points and 15 boards, with many of his buckets coming on assaults towards the rim.

The Warriors were led by Corey Maggette’s 25 points off the bench and Stephen Jackson’s 24. The Suns will embark on a three-game road trip that starts with Detroit on Sunday. After playing in Philadelphia on Monday, they finish the trip with Cleveland, who has been undefeated at home this season.

Birthday Boy

It is Steve Nash’s 35th birthday tomorrow, but you never would’ve guessed it by the way that he’s been playing lately. The two-time MVP has been averaging 11.6 assists a game since January – even leading the entire league in assists for that month.

So what was his big birthday plans?

“I get to go to Detroit,” he said unenthusiastically.

Who can blame him? What’s better than Detroit in February?

But in case fans are wondering the key to remaining chock full of mojo past age 30, Nash has a solution for them.

“Get to bed early and work hard,” he said.

Traffic School

It’s early in the morning Friday and you head to traffic school because one of those pesky radar cameras. It’s probably not the way you want to head into your weekend, but neither did Shaq.

The former MVP missed this morning’s team shootaround because he had to report to traffic school.

It seems as if the law has it out for Shaq recently. First, the 7-1 center is taken down by Phoenix’s finest, and then he fouls out of tonight’s game after picking up two quickies in the first period.

But that leaves one question unanswered. What faux pas attracted the ire of the boys in blue?

Is “The Diesel,” which one would imagine is more of a “slow-rider,” a bit of lead-foot? The "Big Cactus" was unable to be reached for comment.

First Offense

Louis Amundson picked up the first technical of his career. So what did he say? Did he make an off-color remark about the official’s mother? Did he use one of the seven forbidden words?

“I didn’t even get my money’s worth,” Amundson declared.

In fact, he never said a word to the ref. He merely slammed the ball hard on the ground and then proceeded to catch it. Hardly grounds for a technical foul these days.

“With your first tech you at least want to drop an f-bomb or something,” he joked. “I didn’t even say anything.”

Return to Motown

Terry Porter makes his first return to Detroit as Suns Head Coach on Sunday. After leaving the Pistons to become the head man in the Valley, Porter has accumulated a 27-21 record.

It is the second best record in the NBA among new coaches this season, second only to Dallas’ Rick Carlisle, who holds a 29-19 mark. Porter is one-half game ahead of first-year coach Michael Curry (26-21), who currently coaches Detroit.

But for the Suns’ skipper, it’s not about seeing former friends and fans, it’s about heading into the All-Star break with some momentum.

“It’s a big trip for us because it’s really going to test us,” Porter said. “Those three teams are playing really well in their buildings, obviously with undefeated Cleveland being the best.” After the trip is when Porter will be able to unwind with his family.

“My kids got me all scheduled for Jam Session, the rookie game, everything,” he said. “They’ve got me locked into everything the whole weekend.”

Worth Noting

Grant Hill hasn’t won in Detroit since leaving there to join the Magic in 2000. But as of late, he has been showing flashbacks of his old self, racking up a decent amount of slams over the last few games. One of his most remarkable dunks came against Chicago, where he drove from the corner, elevated, cocked it back and threw it down.

"It looked better in real time on the court," Hill explained. "But when I looked at in slow-motion, I barely dunked it."

Any questions or comments for Suns.com's Stefan Swiat? Click here to send him your comments by e-mail.