The Suns' win against the Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday was the obvious time to have the right energy at both ends of the court and play with motivation born out of an embarrassing Tuesday loss to the Clippers.

The real reward for Suns fans has been to see that defensive energy and offensive rhythm in a win Friday against Minnesota and a 116-92 win Sunday night against New Jersey.

The Suns had every reason to dispose of the Nets like they did. New Jersey has not won in Phoenix for 14 consecutive seasons. The Nets were another weary visitor, coming off a Saturday overtime loss to the Clippers, and completed Phoenix's stretch of games against the league's worst offenses.

But with only Boston now having a better record than Phoenix (29-12) halfway through the Suns' season, they can feel good about the consistency of their play heading into a four-game, six-day road trip starting Tuesday in Milwaukee. They have held four consecutive foes to fewer than 100 points for the first time since last season.

"It's just us as a team understanding we hadn't been getting it done," said Suns guard Raja Bell, who hit five 3-pointers Sunday. "There wasn't any other reason than being consistent. You come to that conclusion and then you have to do something about it. Out in LA, after we lost to the Clippers, we did a little soul-searching as a team and individuals and we've been playing better since then.

"The beauty of that (Lakers) game not only was the win but the way we played. We were all interested to see if we were going to come back and play like that."

And they have - mind you, against lowly Minnesota and a Nets team on a five-game skid. Regardless, Phoenix had 17 offensive rebounds for 16 second-chance points. That happens as often in recent years as quality rookie minutes, which D.J. Strawberry got again Sunday.

The 48-38 rebounding edge was the Suns' best margin in 28 games.

"Most of the time when we outrebound a team, either we're bigger than them or they're not that big," Suns forward Shawn Marion said. "But at the same time, it's activity."

Coach Mike D'Antoni complimented the team's "energy" and "mood," qualifying the board work against the Nets efforts to go with small lineups.

"We're still 30th in the league (in rebounding) so I wouldn't get too excited," D'Antoni said.

Phoenix hopped on the Nets as Boris Diaw eliminated any New Jersey hope, starting Phoenix's scoring with a dunk following an offensive rebound and then assisting twice to Amaré Stoudemire. In Diaw's first 12 minutes he had eight points, five rebounds and four assists to put Phoenix ahead by 17. The Suns only spent 16 seconds of the second half without a double-digit lead.

Another Stoudemire rebound and Steve Nash assist and four Suns would have posted double-doubles in a win that made it 15-2 vs. the East.

"We just didn't show up," Nets forward Richard Jefferson said.