Nash leads Suns past Toronto in return to Canada

TORONTO: Steve Nash passed out a season-high 18 assists and scored nine points to power the Phoenix Suns past Toronto 117-113 on Sunday, the Canadian guard continuing his mastery over his homeland's only NBA club.

The Suns stretched their win streak over the Raptors to nine in a row with Nash improving to a career record of 18-2 against Toronto.

Toronto's Anthony Parker, who scored 26 points playing in place of injured Spaniard Jose Calderon, pulled the Raptors within 114-113 on a layup with 1:17 to play but missed a 3-point attempt on Toronto's next possession.