Steve Nash. Celebrates his 38th birthday with the game winner

Steve Nash winning lay-up

MILWAUKEE - What a way for Steve Nash to celebrate his 38th birthday. It wasn't a bad homecoming for Michael Redd, either. Nash hit a driving layup to give Phoenix the lead with five seconds left and Redd scored 14 points in his first game against his former team as the Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-105 on Tuesday.

The Canadian star dribbled near halfcourt for several seconds before making his move, hoping to create a chance to take the last shot — but not wanting to run out of time, either.

"You don't want to go too late, in case you don't get anything," Nash said.

Nash finished finished with 18 points and 11 assists. The Suns led 67-50 at halftime, but blew their lead in the second half and needed Nash to rally them at the end.

"It was a great first half — and a gut-check second half," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. With the game tied at 98, Jennings hit a three-pointer with 3:11 left — his first points of the game, on only his second shot. "I just didn't have the shots I usually have," Jennings said. "That's about it."

Dudley hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to one, then Nash hit a three-pointer for a 103-101 lead with 2:05 left. Gooden scored on a driving layup to tie it, but Gortat hit a jumper. Ilyasova was fouled on the other end and hit a pair of free throws to tie it again.

The Suns called timeout with just over 20 seconds left, and Nash dribbled near halfcourt for several seconds before slicing through the Bucks' defense and scoring to give Phoenix the lead. The Bucks couldn't get a shot off on their final possession.

"It was pretty much fun to watch," Nash said. "Mike obviously had a huge career here. Trying to be back playing is amazing. For him to come back to Milwaukee under all the things he had to face with his injuries and put on a show like that in the first was exciting for all of us on the bench."