There’s been a rumor going around recently that the Suns know how to play defense.

“Can you believe that?” Grant Hill said.

It’s been on display for a quarter or two here and there, but it has never been better that it was Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks at US Airways Center.

Combined with a near flawless showing on the offensive end, Phoenix turned in its most complete performance of the season in crushing the Hawks 125-92 in a game which was a laugher at halftime.

Phoenix’s defensive effort started early (eight first-quarter blocks) and continued until the final buzzer. The Suns set franchise records for blocks in a quarter (10 in the fourth), half (11) and game (19).

“Right from the beginning, our defense was good and kind of took their heart away, and we didn’t let up,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I thought, start to finish, this was probably our best effort defensively, and it’s been getting pretty good the last few games. Hopefully, we can keep it there.”

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All 12 Suns players scored (in fact, all 24 players in the game scored). Amaré Stoudemire led the way with 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting and also added sev- en rebounds and four blocks in only 3 1/2 quarters of work.

Steve Nash finished with a double-double (10 points, 10 assists) and Phoenix also got 19 points from Shawn Marion and 16 points and nine assists from Boris Diaw.

Stoudemire and Diaw put on a show in the first half, combining for 34 points to outscore the Hawks, who have now lost six of seven, by one.

The Suns built a double-digit lead just more than five minutes into the game and never looked back in winning their season-high sixth straight at home and moving back into a virtual tie with New Orleans for the best record in the West.

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