PHOENIX, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Reserves John Wallace and Rodney Rodgers made key contributions Saturday night as the Phoenix Suns recorded their third straight win, 109-92 over the Denver Nuggets.
Wallace scored 23 points and Rodgers added 22, both season highs, to help the Suns' bench outscore Denver's reserves, 52-22.
Shawn Marion had 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting and 11 rebounds and Stephon Marbury chipped in 18 points and 12 assists. Phoenix allowed an NBA season-high 133 points in Sunday's loss to Sacramento, but has bounced back with wins over Houston, Boston and the Nuggets.
Suns guard Penny Hardaway had 12 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his fourth career triple-double and first since April 18, 2000.
Phoenix took an 82-71 lead into the fourth quarter and did not allow Denver to get closer than 89-82 on a layup by Voshon Lenard with 7:22 remaining.
The Nuggets' starting backcourt of Nick Van Exel and Avery Johnson combined for 45 points, but totaled one in the fourth quarter. Van Exel had 24 points and Johnson added a season-high 21 and nine assists.
Raef LaFrentz collected 11 points and 13 rebounds for Denver, which has lost eight straight road games and is 0-11 when allowing at least 100 points.
The Nuggets, who defeated the Suns in their two previous meetings this season, fell to 1-1 under Coach Mike Evans.
