First of all, this Phoenix team plays some defense. They held an offensive-minded Toronto team to 39 percent shooting Sunday and 1-for-20 from three-point range during another rout, this one 113-94 that kept Nash perfect (12-0) against the Raptors since returning to Phoenix in 2004. They aren't going to be confused with the Celtics or the Spurs, but no longer is a night against the Suns a signal that the opposition's leading scorer is going to be able to score at least 40 points.

This team is also deeper, using 10 players a night consistently and not taxing its core players on a nightly basis. The Suns are wrapping up games early in the fourth quarter, as they did against Raptors Sunday, and keeping Nash and Grant Hill away from 40-minute nights.

D'Antoni didn't trust his bench in Phoenix -- in his defense, he didn't have near the talent or flexibility the current Suns reserves possess -- and often played his starters in the final minutes of games long conceded to the Suns.

There are some similarities of course. The Suns are pumping in three-pointers like the old days -- they had 13 more in Toronto -- and forcing teams to score more than 110 points a night to beat them. But through the first 17 games, that hasn't been easy.

SUNS 113, RAPTORS 94: Steve Nash enjoyed his annual return to Canada with 20 points and 16 assists while Jason Richardson led the Suns with 22 as Phoenix beat the Raptors for the 12th straight time. Amare Stoudemire had 18, including an array of slam dunks for Phoenix, who won their eighth road game in 11 tries.

Chris Bosh had 30 points and 17 rebounds for the Raptors, who lost in the final seconds in Phoenix earlier this month and have lost seven of nine games since, including the last three in a row.