(My Sportsbook) - Just when the Phoenix Suns seem braced to run away with the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, they allow the Houston Rockets to come back in.

On Friday, the Suns impressed the basketball world by holding on for a 94-91 victory over the East-leading Pistons in Auburn Hills.

Phoenix shot 53 percent against the stingy Pistons defense and made 19-of-21 free throws. The Suns also held Detroit to 43-percent shooting and outscored the Pistons in the paint, 42-26.

Stephon Marbury led the way for the Suns with 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Shawn Marion finished with 19 points, 10 boards and five steals in the win.

With Friday's victory, Phoenix improved to 2-0 on its road trip, but Houston defeated Denver on Saturday to close to within one-half game of the Suns for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Phoenix was faced with a matchup against another tough squad from the Central Division in the swing's finale Sunday -- the Indiana Pacers. The Suns proceeded to lose to the Pacers, 92-81, and thus fell into a tie with Houston in the standings.

Marbury had a rare off-night for Phoenix, as he was stymied by Pacers guard Erick Strickland. Marbury scored just 10 points on 4-of-19 shooting, including 0-of-5 from three-point range.

"Strickland did a hell of a job on him. He's a pit bull," Suns coach Frank Johnson said. "Marbury's our primary scorer and it's rare when we win when he shoots like that."

The Suns, who trailed by as much as 17 in the contest, shot just 37 percent from the floor as a team. Marion ended with 22 points and 15 rebounds, but turned the ball over seven times. Joe Johnson added 19 points off the bench in a losing effort.

"The East Coast plays hard," said Marion. "Detroit's a real physical team, but tonight it was a little more physical. After 73 games, you start to feel the bumps and bruises. It seems like every time you get hit, it hurts a little bit more."

The Suns got another quiet performance from their most physical player, Amare Stoudemire, who totaled 15 points and eight rebounds. The 20-year-old rookie, once a double-double machine, has accomplished the feat just once in his past 13 games.

The Suns play five of their next seven games at home, including the next two. Meanwhile, the Rockets begin a three-game road trip on Monday and play four of their upcoming six away from home.