PHOENIX – Amare Stoudemire scored 33 points and the Phoenix Suns held off a strong Toronto comeback to beat the Raptors 106-94 Sunday night for their 11th consecutive victory.

The Suns won for the 20th time in 21 games to boost their NBA-best record to 24-3 and maintain their grip on first place in the Pacific Division.

During their latest winning streak – they won nine in a row earlier this season – the Suns have scored at least 100 points in each game. The last time Phoenix won 11 straight was March 20-April 10, 1997. The 11 consecutive wins ties Miami for the longest streak this year.

Steve Nash had 18 points and 13 assists for Phoenix, making him the first NBA player in history to register 10 or more assists in 11 consecutive wins. Shawn Marion added 18 points and 18 rebounds, and Quentin Richardson also scored 18.

Jalen Rose led Toronto with 19 points, while Chris Bosh scored 18 and Lamond Murray had 14. The Raptors are 2-3 since trading Vince Carter to New Jersey on Dec. 17.

The Suns came out running early and bolted to a 24-8 lead in the first 7 minutes. Stoudemire scored 15 during the span, including a thunderous dunk and an acrobatic layup.

Nash contributed 12 points in the opening period, including three 3-pointers, to help the Suns take a 32-14 lead.

Rose, who was demoted from the starting lineup on Wednesday, scored 10 points for Toronto in the second quarter but the Suns led by as many as 19 before settling for a 56-39 advantage at the half.

The Raptors whittled the Suns lead to 75-69 by the end of the third quarter thanks to strong play from their reserves. Rose hit two straight shots, Murray knocked down consecutive 3s and Matt Bonner added two baskets during the run.

Toronto drew even at 80-all with 8:38 remaining on a jumper by Bonner, but the Suns responded with a 12-0 run to retake control.

Notes: The Suns didn’t win their 24th game last season until game No. 71, March 23, at Orlando. … Their last loss this season was Dec. 3, 97-93 at home to Minnesota. … C Alonzo Mourning (right knee tendinitis) did not make the trip with Toronto. He has yet to play for the Raptors since being acquired from the Nets in the Carter trade. … The Raptors are 2-15 on the road, the most losses away from home by any NBA team. … On Tuesday, Phoenix has a showdown against the Spurs, the Southwest Division leaders, at San Antonio. … The Suns play 13 of their next 19 games on the road. Phoenix is an NBA-best 11-1 away from home. … The Suns are the only team in the NBA not to lose by 10 or more points. Their losses have been by 2, 4 and 5 points.

AP-ES-12-26-04 2226EST