Derrick Rose scored 19 points and the Chicago Bulls nearly blew a 22-point third-quarter lead but held off a late rally by the Phoenix Suns for a 97-94 home victory Tuesday night, their fourth straight win.

The victory reduced the Bulls' magic number for clinching the best record in the Eastern Conference to three. Chicago (57-20) leads Miami and Boston by three games with five to play.

Chicago led, 76-54, with 3:44 remaining in the third quarter before Phoenix roared back. The Suns trailed 81-70 after three quarters and cut the deficit to 89-87 with 5:04 to play on Grant Hill's layup.

The Suns (37-40) got within a bucket three more times, the last on Vince Carter's basket with 26.7 seconds remaining.

Kyle Korver was fouled with 13.1 seconds left but split the free throws, giving the Suns one last chance. But Phoenix could not get an open 3-pointer, and Marcin Gortat missed a short shot before the buzzer.

Luol Deng scored 18 points and Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah scored 12 points apiece for Chicago, which has won 16 of 18.

Carter led the Suns with 23 points while Hill and Channing Frye added 13 apiece.

Point guard Steve Nash returned for Phoenix after missing two games with the flu and handed out 16 assists.