Shaq’s presence benefits Amaré

Before Monday’s game, Denver coach George Karl was asked about the biggest difference in the Suns since Shaquille O’Neal joined the team. The answer was easy: Amaré Stoudemire.

Suns storm back against Nuggets for win, 132-117

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“The window of his offensive opportunities has grown since Shaq has gotten here,” Karl said. “(Steve) Nash and (Coach Mike) D’Antoni have done a good job of changing their offense in a subtle way, and Stoudemire seems to be the guy that’s gained the most touches and advantages.

“There is a certain area where he catches the ball and he’s very difficult to cover. That 15-16-foot area where he can make the jumper and his one dribble from the rim … it’s going to have to be a real good team effort to make sure we crowd him and hopefully turn him over some.”

The strategy worked for one half, as Stoudemire had 14 points but missed eight of 12 shots from the floor and was frustrated. But Stoudemire exploded for 27 points in the second half, taking the ball to the basket and finding little resistance as the Suns rallied from 22 points down for a wild 132-117 win at US Airways Center.

Nash and Stoudemire made the pick-and-roll sing during an 81-point second half that saw all phases of Phoenix’s offense take flight.

HILL SITS OUT

Grant Hill woke up thinking he could play Monday against the Nuggets. By midday, he was out for both ends of the home-and-home series that concludes tonight in Denver. Hill has a groin injury, which kept him out of Saturday’s win over the Nets.

“It’s responding well the last two days but giving it another few days is the smart thing,” Hill said. “We want to get it ready for the stretch run. Things like this can linger. Maybe I could have played today, but the smart thing to do is make sure it’s right.

“I had a discussion with my GM/boss, Shaquille O’Neal, who said we have to think big picture. And then my real GM/boss, Steve Kerr, echoed the same thing. They’ve both won championships, so I’ll listen and defer to them.”

SEE YOU … TODAY

The Suns were happy with their win Monday, while the Nuggets were happy about getting another shot at Phoenix tonight at the mile-high elevation in Denver.

The last time the Nuggets played in Phoenix, they were unhappy because Marcus Banks was draining 3-pointers at the end of a big rout, and they returned the favor by blitzing the Suns in Denver. This time, they gave away a 22-point lead and lost by 15.

“(Today) will be fun,” Karl said. “I’m sure somewhere in my career I’ve had one like that. It’ll be fun going after it tonight.”

‘T’ FOR FOUR

The Suns continued their incredible recent pace for technical fouls with four more on Monday — with Stoudemire (double technical with Nene), Raja Bell, O’Neal and even assistant coach Dan D’Antoni getting rung up by the crew of Joe Crawford, Monty McCutchen and Zach Zarba.

Phoenix now has 22 technical fouls in 22 games since O’Neal joined the team — compared with just 14 in the first 53 games of the season.