NBA: Phoenix 110, Minnesota 97

MINNEAPOLIS, April 12 (UPI) -- Grant Hill scored 19 points Saturday when the frustrated Phoenix Suns rolled to a 31-8 first period and went on to record a 110-97 win over Minnesota.

The Suns started like a house afire after being eliminated this week from the Western Conference playoff chase for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Hill also had three rebounds and four steals. Leandro Barbosa and Jared Dudley scored 16 points apiece and Shaquille O'Neal scored 10 points with 10 rebounds for Phoenix.

Steve Nash ended with four points and seven assists, while Robin Lopez added six points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who have won four of their last six games.

Sebastian Telfair's 21 points with three steals led Minnesota. Rodney Carney scored 17 with six rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 13 with five rebounds for the Timberwolves, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.