NBA: Nash, Suns shine in 14th straight victory

Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns made Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards look more like pretenders than contenders, putting the so-called “Phoenix Suns of the East” in their place with a 127-105 thumping Tuesday night in Washington.

Nash scored 27 points on 11-for-13 shooting and added 14 assists in the Suns’ 14th straight win. Phoenix led by 21 after the first quarter and won for the 30th time in 32 games.

Arenas, who has compared his team’s high-octane offense to the Suns’, scored 31 points, but he started 1 for 6 and the game was essentially over before he got going. When he finally made his second field goal, it only served to cut the Suns’ lead to 24. The Wizards cut the lead to 13 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Suns responded with a 6-0 run to put the game firmly out of reach.

76ers 102, Hornets 96: At Philadelphia, Kyle Korver scored 25 points, Andre Iguodala added 20 and the 76ers held on for a victory over New Orleans.

Bulls 94, Hawks 86: At Chicago, Luol Deng scored 18 points and Kirk Hinrich added 12 points and 12 assists to lead the Bulls to a victory over Atlanta.

Mavericks 111, Magic 95: At Orlando, Fla., Dirk Nowitzki had 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Josh Howard added 25 points as Dallas beat the Magic for their eighth straight victory.

Clippers 115, Bucks 96: At Los Angeles, Elton Brand had 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Clippers past Milwaukee.

Timberwolves fire Casey

The Minnesota Timberwolves fired coach Dwane Casey, one day after Minnesota lost its fourth consecutive game and only 1 1/2 seasons since he took over.

Casey, in his first head-coaching job, was unable to solve the Timberwolves’ inconsistencies and push them back into the thick of the competitive Western Conference, prompting vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale to make the move.

“We were at a point as a team where we were just treading water,” McHale said.

Assistant coach Randy Wittman will take over as interim coach in a situation similar to 2005, when longtime coach Flip Saunders was fired in midseason and replaced by McHale.

“Lamar Odom returned to practice with the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since he sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 12.

The forward said he expects to play Friday night when the Lakers return to action against the Charlotte Bobcats at Staples Center.

“The New York Knicks could be without starting point guard Stephon Marbury tonight when they host the Phoenix Suns. Marbury was unable to finish either of the last two games because of soreness in his left knee.

“The Sacramento Kings waived veteran forward Maurice Taylor.