The game was close until Phoenix took the lead for good in the third quarter, then turned it into a runaway in the fourth. The 126 points were the most Dallas has allowed this season in a game that didn’t go into overtime. The only time the Mavericks allowed more in any game was in that double-overtime loss to Phoenix.

The Mavericks were without center Erick Dampier, who strained his right shoulder in Friday night’s home victory over New York.

After making their first seven 3-pointers, the Mavericks went 2-for-11. The Suns, meanwhile, made 12 of 21 3s, going 6-of-7 in the second half.

“We need a practice,” Johnson said. “We haven’t practiced in a while because of our schedule, a really good hard practice. We need a good practice to clean up a few things, and it showed today.”

The tight, high-speed first half ended with Phoenix on top 60-56. Dallas never led after that.

Phoenix outscored the Mavs 14-6 over the final 2½ minutes of the first half, then got the first two baskets of the third quarter to go up 64-56 on Stoudemire’s layup. Dallas came back to tie it at 69 after Terry’s 18-footer, but Phoenix followed with a 10-2 run, with Raja Bell and Barbosa sinking consecutive 3s to put the Suns up 79-71 with 4:02 left in the period.

With Nash out for his usual rest, Phoenix boosted the lead to 85-75 on Barbosa’s driving layup with 1:19 left in the third. The Suns led 89-82 entering the fourth.

Phoenix went up 102-89 with a 9-2 spurt midway through the fourth quarter. During that run, Nowitzki limped off the court after missing a 3-pointer, then landing with his left foot on Marion’s left foot. Nowitzki returned to the game moments later, but didn’t stay long as Phoenix blew it open.

Nowitzki said after the game he was fine.

“I thought he undercut me a little bit, but it doesn’t matter at that point,” he said. “There was no foul called so we kept on playing.”

Phoenix outscored the Mavericks 37-22 in the fourth quarter, 66-48 in the second half.

Notes: The previous high field goal percentage this season was .646 for Charlotte against Atlanta on Jan. 20. Phoenix shot .648. ... With their 55th victory, the Suns topped their total of last season. ... The Mavericks are expected to sign 44-year-old Kevin Willis to a 10-day contract on Monday. ... DeSagana Diop started in place of Dampier and went scoreless with three rebounds in 26½ minutes. ... Dallas is 61-8 since beginning the season 0-4 start. Phoenix is 54-14 since a 1-4 start. ... The Suns are 5-4 since that earlier victory at Dallas, but each of the wins has been by at least 18 points.

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