Suns send Celtics to third consecutive loss

PHOENIX -- Amare Stoudemire scored 28 points and the Phoenix Suns gave Boston its first three-game losing streak of the season with a 85-77 victory over the Celtics on Friday night.

The Suns got their first victory with Shaquille O’Neal in the lineup. They lost 130-124 to the Lakers in O’Neal’s Phoenix debut on Wednesday night.

Grant Hill had 14 points and 13 rebounds to record consecutive double-doubles for the first time since Dec. 2-4, 2002.

O’Neal scored only four points, but he grabbed 14 rebounds as the Suns dominated the boards, 50-32.

Kevin Garnett scored 19 points, Paul Pierce was two-for-13 shooting for five points and Ray Allen scored 11 points and shot three for 12.

Phoenix went 12:05 without a basket in the first half and still had the lead, 27-26.

The Celtics never led while falling to 0-3 on their five-game trip through the West after going 16-0 against the Western Conference. Phoenix improved to 22-2 against the East.