Amare Stoudemire had a season-high 41 points and added 12 rebounds for Phoenix, but Jefferson and the Spurs hung on late to hand the Suns only their second loss since the All-Star break.

Jason Richardson could’ve tied it with about 40 seconds left, but blew an uncontested dunk on a fast break. With no one in front of him, Richardson’s one-handed slam ricocheted off the rim, while his teammates watched in disbelief.

In Los Angeles, Lamar Odom scored nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, Pau Gasol had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and the Lakers overcame an 11-point third-quarter deficit.

Kobe Bryant was just 3 for 17 from the field, finishing with 14 points and 12 assists. The two-time scoring champion was 1 for 9 in the first three quarters.

Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points for Denver before fouling out with 2:13 to play and the Nuggets down by four. The loss was Denver’s first in three meetings this season with the defending NBA champions, who beat them last year in the Western Conference finals. Denver has blown double-digit leads in nine of its 20 losses this season.

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 points, Caron Butler had 19 in his return to the Dallas lineup and the Mavericks extended their NBA-high winning streak to seven.

The Hornets had cut what had been a 25-point deficit to 101-97 after Darren Collison’s 3-pointer with 2:44 left capped the rookie’s stretch of eight consecutive points. But New Orleans didn’t get any closer and Collison, who had a season-high 35 points, had consecutive turnovers in the final minute that Dallas turned into baskets.

In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored nine of his 24 points in overtime, Josh Smith had 22 points and 15 rebounds to help Atlanta end Milwaukee’s winning streak at six.

The Bucks lost for the first time since trading for John Salmons, who finished with a season-high 32 points, including a straightaway 3-pointer that cut it to 103-102 with 9.7 seconds left in the extra period.

Jerry Stackhouse finished with 20 points in a reserve role for the Bucks, who had won six straight overall and six in a row on the road.

In Orlando, Florida, Rashard Lewis had 22 points, and Vince Carter added 17 to help Orlando overcome Dwight Howard’s sub-par game.

Howard, who had 20 straight double-doubles, was in foul trouble most of the game and finished with seven points and five rebounds in 24 minutes.

Dwyane Wade, who returned to the Heat lineup after missing four games because of a strained calf, led Miami with 21 points.

In East Rutherford, N.J., Andray Blatche scored a career-high 36 points and had 15 rebounds, and Randy Foye hit two jumpers in the final 44 seconds for Washington.

Al Thorton added 20 points as Washington rallied from a 14-point first-half deficit to deny the Nets (6-53) their first winning streak of the season.

Yi Jianlian had 20 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for New Jersey, but missed two crucial free throws in the final 1:19. Devin Harris had 18 points and 14 assists.

In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 29 points, Nenad Krstic had a rare 3-pointer and added 16 points and Oklahoma City handed Toronto its third straight loss without All-Star forward Chris Bosh (sprained left ankle).

Jeff Green had 20 points and matched his career high with four steals for the Thunder. Andrea Bargnani and Sonny Weems each had 14 points to lead Toronto.

In Sacramento, California, Tyreke Evans scored 22 points to help Sacramento win consecutive home games for the first time since mid-December.

Carl Landry scored 18 points, and Spencer Hawes had 16 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento. Chris Kaman had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Los Angeles.