DENVER, April 2 (UPI) -- The Denver Nuggets set a franchise record for lowest field-goal percentage Tuesday night in a 95-65 loss to Phoenix.
The Suns got 33 points from Shawn Marion as they continued their playoff push.
The Nuggets, already owning the NBA's worst offense, shot just 26.3 percent (20-of-76) from the field. That broke the team mark of 27.4 percent set Nov. 23, 1996 at Portland. Denver's 20 baskets marked the fewest in an NBA game this season.
With the win, the Suns opened a one-game lead over the Houston Rockets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Marion made four of his five three-pointers and scored 15 points in the third quarter as Phoenix recorded its 19th victory in its last 24 meetings with Denver.
Not only did the Suns set the club mark for lowest field goal percentage by an opponent, but they also matched their franchise record for fewest points allowed in a game. They also held Chicago to 65 points on March 6, 1975.
Rookies Nene Hilario and Nikoloz Tskitishvili and reserve forward-center Marcus Camby each scored 10 points for the Nuggets, who have dropped six straight road games. Camby collected all 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the opening half, but the rest of the Nuggets combined to go 5-of-34 from the floor.
Denver trailed, 44-29, at halftime.
Juwan Howard, the Nuggets' leading scorer this season, had just six points on 3-of-18 shooting.
The Suns gradually increased their advantage in the third. Marion nailed a three-pointer with 62 seconds to go in the period to open a 68-47 cushion for Phoenix.
The Suns put together an 18-2 run during a five-minute span in the fourth. Rookie swingman Casey Jacobsen hit a jumper with 86 seconds left to give Phoenix its biggest lead of the contest, 91-60.
