Afflalo has 20 points, leads Nuggets past Suns

Arron Afflalo scored 20 points, Ty Lawson had 17 and the Denver Nuggets broke open a close game in the third quarter to beat the short-handed Phoenix Suns 109-92 on Tuesday.

Chris Andersen had 16 points and seven rebounds and rookie Kenneth Faried had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who snapped a five-game home losing streak.

Markieff Morris had 21 points, Michael Redd had 20 points and Marcin Gortat had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns, who played without starters Steve Nash and Grant Hill.

Nash and Hill sat out to rest and avoid risking injury, Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said before the game.