Steve Nash led the Phoenix Suns to the 108-99 win over the Clippers on a rainy afternoon at Staples Center. It marked the third time this season that Phoenix (35-33) had won in the head-to-head matchup and the win kept the Suns alive for a playoff berth.

Nash scored 23 points, had 13 assists and seven rebounds to lead Phoenix, which scored 27 points in every quarter.

The Clippers’ Blake Griffin had an off-game, particularly after his 31-point output against the Cavaliers yesterday. The rookie forward fouled out against the Suns after two straight calls late in the fourth then got a technical after complaining about his sixth and final foul and Los Angeles (27-44) had to play the final three-plus minutes without him. Griffin finished the game with 17 points and only two rebounds.

Chris Kaman led the team in scoring with 21 – along with 11 rebounds – and Mo Williams had 18, Randy Foye 17 and Eric Gordon 10 to go with Griffin’s 17.

Along with Nash, Channing Frye had 19 points and five 3-pointers, Marcin Gortat scored 17, Jared Dudley had 14 and Hakim Warrick added 12.

The Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan sat out today’s game with a mild bout with pneumonia and was hospitalized. He responded well to treatment overnight and was released at 1 p.m. today.