Suns 115, Knicks 104: The Knicks need wins, yes, but they also need solid efforts against the league's elite teams. They got the latter but not the former Sunday in a loss to Phoenix at home. Eddy Curry's 21 points and an awakening from a recent slump couldn't power the Knicks, who stuck around for three quarters before disappearing in the fourth. Even Stephon Marbury enjoyed an efficient night from the floor -- he shot 7-of-13. With some other dreadful efforts this season, this effort doesn't stand out, and for that Isiah Thomas is thankful.
Update: After the game, Marbury learned his father had died after watching the game in person. The Knicks closed the locker room for 25 minutes, and only a few players were left when it was finally opened.

Pistons 118, Nets 95: Vince Carter returned to the starting lineup, but the Nets returned to their sluggish ways. No one but Richard Jefferson wanted to join Carter's outpouring of points, and Detroit was more than happy to run the Nets out of the building. Letting the Pistons shoot 56 percent from the floor didn't help the Nets that much.

Devils 3, Thrashers 2 (SO): Brian Gionta had the only goal in the shootout. Martin Brodeur had a lot to say about that. He had 23 saves in regulation as the Devils won their seventh straight game.

Photograph of the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash dashing past Stephon Marbury and Zack Randolph by Kathey Willens/AP