(My Sportsbook) - Not only did the Phoenix Suns need a win, they needed a victory over a tough Western Conference squad to prove they belong in the mix come late April. The Suns got that triumph against the Spurs in San Antonio on Tuesday.

The win was just the second in the last seven games for Phoenix, which has dropped all the way down to the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. The Suns are currently just one game behind the seventh-seeded Lakers, but have no realistic shot of possessing a better record than LA at the end of the regular season.

The rest of the way, Phoenix's attention will primarily be focused on the teams creeping up from behind. Houston and Golden State are both 30-30 on the season and just two games in back of the Suns. The Warriors are particularly scary considering they have won their last six contests.

Also, the Seattle SuperSonics have won five straight games and are only 3 1/2 games behind Phoenix.

Feeling the pressure, the Suns came through with a big 104-97 victory over the Spurs on Tuesday. Phoenix became just the fifth visiting team to win at the SBC Center this season.

Stephon Marbury was the story for Phoenix, scoring a team-high 35 points on 12-of-14 shooting. Marbury hit all six of his three-point attempts and also dished out 13 assists.

"We had to do whatever it took to win this game," Marbury said. "Tonight's win was the biggest game of the season, mostly due to the way we've been playing."

The Suns held a two-point edge late in the fourth before Marbury hit a runner in the lane to put Phoenix ahead four. After a basket by Tim Duncan, Amare Stoudemire made a tough lay-in over the Spurs' big man to put the Phoenix lead back at four with 38 seconds left. The Suns held on from there.

All five Phoenix starters scored in double figures to make up for the team's weak bench. Stoudemire and Shawn Marion each scored 17 points and Joe Johnson and Scott Williams added 13 points apiece to aid the attack.

The Suns shot a blistering 59 percent from the field, including hitting 10- The Suns shot a blistering 59 percent from the field, including hitting 10- of-13 three-pointers.

Phoenix was able to pull out the win despite an amazing effort from Duncan, who collected 35 points, 21 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks.

"Since the All-Star break, we haven't been playing very well against top-tier teams," Phoenix coach Frank Johnson said. "The Spurs are definitely a top-tier team, so beating them at home, it's a big win for us."

The Suns have a chance to claim some more wins in their upcoming stretch, as they play six of their next eight games at America West Arena.