Stoudemire, Marion lead victory over lowly Celtics, 118-108

The Suns, who have been outmanned in several games lately, got a break Wednesday night. They got to play a team that’s outmanned in almost every game: the lowly Boston Celtics, who came into the game losers of 19 of their last 20.

The Suns, still trying find their playoff-caliber form, fought off the free and loose Celtics before finally pulling away for a 118-108 win at US Airways Center.

At 41-13, the Suns have tied — with three past Suns teams — the franchise’s best mark after 54 games. The other clubs won at least 59 games.

The Suns rode the broad shoulders of Amaré Stoudemire, who had a tremendous all-around game (30 points, 12 boards and four assists) and the slender ones of Shawn Marion (17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks).

“Amaré was a beast,” coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Said Al Jefferson, the Celtics’ big man who tried to guard Stoudemire, “It’s kind of like guarding a big and a small at the same time.

“He’s so quick, and he runs so well. It was real difficult.”

Marion, in addition to his numbers, helped limit Celtics star Paul Pierce to 7-of-20 shooting.

“I think I did a good job of making him take tough shots,” Marion said.

Then too, Leandro Barbosa nailed 6 of 7 3-pointers, all in the second half, to put the win away.

His fifth 3 gave the Suns a decisive 109-99 lead with 3:40 left.

Steve Nash, in his second game back from his shoulder injury, had 14 points and 13 assists but an unusual seven turnovers.

“I think he’s thinking about it,” D’Antoni said of Nash’s shoulder.

Nash said: “I feel in decent shape. My shoulder isn’t 100 percent yet. … I’m trying not to aggravate it.”

For the Celtics, who have the league’s worst record at 13-40, Jefferson had 23 points and 17 boards; Pierce scored 24.

The Suns came out turnover prone; they fell behind 18-8 before a 13-2 run at the end of the first quarter lifted them to a 30-26 lead.

“We were a little jittery,” Marion said.

The Suns might have blown the game open by halftime. But they hit only two of their first 12 shots in the second quarter, missing a comical number of shots right at the rim.

BANKS ON BLOCK?

The Suns continue to have trade conversations about Marcus Banks, the reserve point guard who signed a $21 million, five-year contract with the Suns last year.

Cleveland is among a number of teams talking about Banks, said David Griffin, the Suns’ director of basketball operations.

“There’s interest there,” Griffin said.

“People need point guards, and it’s not a deep point-guard draft (coming up in June),” Griffin said.

He pointed out that Banks played much better recently than he did early this season when he got extended minutes because of injury problems.

“Like all players, he needs a rhythm. He’s a tremendous talent.”

Banks said he won’t be watching the clock for today’s 1 p.m. trade deadline. But either way, “It’s a win-win situation,” he said.

From the Suns’ side, there are indications the club has expressed interest in defensive-minded forwards such as P.J. Brown of Chicago and James Posey of Miami.

“I won’t talk about any individuals” the Suns have inquired about, Griffin said.

In general, “We’re looking for pieces that fit our system. That could be a point guard, a big man or a wing.”

But, “It’s not easy to do things when you’re trying to win now and when you have the chemistry and great people we have.”

At some point, the Suns will have to decide on whether they want to keep Kurt Thomas, who is expected to exercise his player option to return next season for $8.1 million.

That likely would push the Suns’ payroll to the $80 million range next season, making the Suns liable for a $10 million-plus luxury tax payment.

But the Suns aren’t expected to trade Thomas today, maybe not in the offseason, either.

“We want him to stay,” Griffin said.

BORIS BETTER

Boris Diaw has “turned the corner” with his lower back problems, D’Antoni said.

He should return sometime in the Suns’ four-game road trip, though he might miss the opener Friday at Minnesota, D’Antoni said.

“He’s a lot better,” the Suns coach said. “He should be fine.”

BONUS SHOT

Several members of the Suns’ 1976 Finals team were saluted, including Alvan Adams, Curtis Perry, Dick Van Arsdale, Garfield Heard, Ricky Sobers, John Wetzel, Dennis Awtrey, coach John MacLeod, assistant coach Al Bianchi, trainer Joe Proski and general manager Jerry Colangelo.