From there comes a road trip that doesn't exactly compare favorably with the Miami-Orlando-Boston-Washington-Philadelphia grind from earlier in the month:

--It starts with a road game at Minnesota, where the Suns traditionally struggle. But the T-wolves have lost 12 straight games, and Al Jefferson's magic over the Suns has worn off. If the Suns blow this one, Target Center is truly haunted.

--Then comes a visit to Toronto against the 6-8 Raptors, who gave the Suns all they wanted in Phoenix last week. But Steve Nash loves to play in Toronto and he doesn't let the Suns lose to the Raptors -- nope, not once since returning to Phoenix.

--Then comes a road game in New York against the 3-10 Knicks. Coach Mike D'Antoni was smiling last year as the Knicks got off to a decent start while the Suns were learning to run in place with new coach Terry Porter. This year? Not so much. But he's worried less about the Suns right now and more about his own players shooting at the wrong basket.

That means the Suns could very well take an eight-game winning streak into Cleveland for a Dec. 2 showdown with old pal Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James and the Cavs. This game isn't slated to be on national TV right now. That needs to change.

The Suns need to take care of business because mid-December is brutal. Beginning with a return trip to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Dec. 6, Phoenix has a six-game stretch that continues at Dallas, home vs. Orlando, at Denver, home vs. San Antonio and at Portland. That means hay must be stored in the barn now.

SUNS 117, PISTONS 91: The Suns jumped on the tired Pistons from the start with their offense and then closed the first half with a 12-0 run to win their fifth home game in a row to start the season and their 11th in 14 games to start the season. Amar'e Stoudemire had 21 points and Steve Nash added 20 as the Suns handed the injury-riddled Pistons -- who are still without stars Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince -- their fifth straight loss.