Washington ? Last week, Steve Nash watched his potential game-winning 20-footer hit the rim twice and pop out at the buzzer. This time, Caron Butler’s three-pointer that would have tied the game hit the rim and bounced away with 10 seconds remaining.

Too bad the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards only play twice a year.

Two of the top scoring teams in the NBA put on another entertaining show Wednesday night. Shawn Marion scored 28 points, Nash had 19 points and 16 assists, and the Suns rallied from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 104-99 victory.

“Always fun to watch the two teams play,” said Antawn Jamison, who scored 19 points for the Wizards. “Both teams love to get up and run, put the ball in the basket. Both meetings you definitely got your money’s worth. We stole one, they came out and stole one on the road, too. It’s one of those things you’ve just got to put it behind you and get ready for the next game.”

The Suns were almost apologetic after the victory, which split the season series after their 112-111 home loss Friday. Their play is still a bit ragged without injured center Amare Stoudemire, though they are seven games over .500.

“We’ve just got to force the tempo of the game into playoff style of play,” said Marion, who went 12-for-16 from the field. “We aren’t playing like we usually play. This ain’t us, honestly. Even when we were winning we weren’t pushing the ball the way we’re capable of. … Steve can’t do it all by himself. He gets tired out there, just like I do. Other guys have got to step up and push the ball.”

Phoenix guard Steve Nash, right, drives to the basket past Washington's Antawn Jamison. Nash had 19 points and 16 assists, and the Suns defeated the Wizards, 104-99, Wednesday night in Washington.

Marion scored nine points in the final period, including an alley-oop dunk, a three-point play and a driving dunk that kept the Suns close after the Wizards took an 88-80 lead.

Butler scored 22 points, and Gilbert Arenas struggled to score 16 on 7-for-23 shooting for the Wizards, who lost for the first time in four games since moving Butler to the starting lineup.

Bobcats 93, Bulls 80

Charlotte, N.C. – Melvin Ely scored 20 points, and Primoz Brezec added 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead Charlotte. Despite being without four of their top seven scorers for most of the game because of injury, the Bobcats forced 25 turnovers and outrebounded the Bulls, 50-38, to win for the fifth time in seven games. Luol Deng scored 18 points, and Darius Songaila added 12 for the Bulls, who lost their fifth straight, their longest skid since starting 0-9 last year.

Magic 105, Knicks 95

Orlando, Fla. – Grant Hill made several key baskets and scored 26 points, and Steve Francis had 17 points and six assists as Orlando beat New York. The Magic spoiled a strong performance from New York’s Eddy Curry. Playing in just his second game after missing four straight because of a sprained ankle, Curry had a season-high 29 points and nine rebounds. However, he left in the fourth quarter because of a strained right calf. With 27 offensive rebounds, the Knicks had plenty of chances to score, but shot just 36 percent.

Warriors 111, Celtics 109

Oakland, Calif. – Derek Fisher took a pass from Baron Davis and drove through the paint for a left-handed layup with 6.2 seconds left, and Golden State snapped a season-worst five-game losing streak. After Fisher’s go-ahead basket, Paul Pierce dribbled the ball off his leg on the Celtics’ final possession, and Davis came up with the ball.

Timberwolves 108, SuperSonics 95

Minneapolis – Wally Szczerbiak scored 30 points, and Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 10 rebounds as Minnesota snapped its two-game losing streak.

Eddie Griffin added a season-high 22 points for the Wolves and grabbed 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

Grizzlies 100, Lakers 99, OT

Los Angeles – Damon Stoudamire had 25 points and nine assists, Pau Gasol added 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Memphis beat Los Angeles in overtime.

Raptors 108, Hawks 102

Toronto – Mike James scored 28 points, Morris Peterson added a season-high 26, and Toronto beat Atlanta in a matchup of two of the NBA’s worst teams. James also had nine assists and six rebounds for the Raptors, who improved to 2-12 at home. They also beat Miami on Nov 20. Toronto is 7-22 overall, and Atlanta is 7-20.

Blazers 95, 76ers 91

Portland, Ore. – Portland warmly welcomed former coach Maurice Cheeks back to the Rose Garden. Then the Blazers beat him. Zach Randolph had 28 points and 14 rebounds, and the Blazers beat Cheeks’ new team. The Trail Blazers have won three straight for the first time since February – when Cheeks was their coach. It was his first visit to Portland since the Blazers fired him in March.

Hornets 92, Rockets 90

Oklahoma City – David West’s jump shot from the foul line with 1.8 seconds remaining gave New Orleans a victory. West’s shot came on Chris Paul’s 15th assist, a career high for the rookie, and helped the Hornets end a two-game losing streak. Houston lost its fourth straight despite 38 points from Tracy McGrady.