Nash (21 assists) leads Suns to eight in a row

Steve Nash had a season-high 21 assists, becoming the first player in nine years with two 20-assist games in a season and leading the Suns to their eighth straight victory, 109-90, over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night at Phoenix.

Nash, who had 20 assists against Sacramento on Dec. 5, joined Avery Johnson as the last two players to reach that total in the same season. Johnson did it in 1997-98. Nash’s career high is 22, against New York on Jan. 2, 2006.

LeBron James scored 34 points, including the first 14 of the fourth quarter, for the Cavaliers, whose five-game winning streak ended.

Shawn Marion had 19 points to lead five Suns in double figures. Amare Stoudemire added 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Nash, who finished with four points, had 14 of his assists in the first half, which the Suns ended with a 21-2 run over the final 5:16 to lead, 67-41.

In a battle of two of the league’s elite -- Cleveland (22-13) has the best record in the Eastern Conference and Phoenix (27-8) is second in the West -- it was no contest afterward, with the Suns leading, 91-59, after three quarters. Cleveland never seriously threatened in the fourth period.

New Jersey 86, Chicago 83 -- Jason Kidd recorded his 82nd career triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Nets erased an 18-point deficit against the Bulls for the second time in a week in a victory at Chicago.

Kirk Hinrich made a runner in the lane for Chicago to make it 74-67 before the Nets scored 14 consecutive points. Chicago led once more briefly before New Jersey went ahead for good.

Hinrich’s three-point attempt was blocked by Bostjan Nachbar as time expired.

Andres Nocioni finished with 28 points for Chicago, which led, 55-37, with 10:19 left in the third quarter.

Chicago couldn’t hold an 18-0 lead at New Jersey last Friday.