NBA: Phoenix 124, New Orleans 104

PHOENIX, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points to lead eight players in double figures Wednesday and Phoenix dominated throughout to defeat New Orleans 124-104.

The Suns won their fourth straight and improved to 8-1, equaling Boston for the best record in the NBA.

Coming off a 4-1 trip to the East Coast, Phoenix scored 40 points in the opening period and was never threatened. The Suns shot 55 percent from the field and made 13-of-26 from 3-point range.

Grant Hill added 18 points, Goran Dragic had 14 and both Jason Richardson and Channing Frye had 13.

Chris Paul scored 25 for the Hornets, who have lost six times in their first nine games.