Phoenix hosts the desperate Clippers

The Clippers are one game behind Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. If the Warriors win at home against Dallas and the Clippers lose at Phoenix, Golden State would clinch the final playoff spot in the West and meet the top-seeded Mavericks in the opening round.

The Suns, who are the second seed in the conference, are 2-1 against the Clippers this season. The Clippers have dropped four of their last five at Phoenix.

The Clippers need to bounce back from a tough loss. Ron Artest posted 15 points and a career-high 10 assists, as the Sacramento Kings held off the playoff-hopeful Clippers, 105-100, on Tuesday at the Staples Center.

Elton Brand finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who had a two-game winning streak halted. Corey Maggette posted 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Quinton Ross netted 14 and Tim Thomas scored 13 for LA.

Los Angeles is 14-26 on the road this season. The Clippers will host the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Wednesday at the Staples Center.

On the injury front for the Clippers, guard Cuttino Mobley (strained left calf) is questionable for tonight’s contest. Mobley is averaging 13.8 points in 78 contests this season.

Phoenix attempts to go into the playoffs on a winning note, as it wraps up its regular season this evening. On Monday, Tracy McGrady posted 39 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Houston Rockets over the Suns, 120-117, at the Toyota Center.

Amare Stoudemire finished with 30 points in the loss for Phoenix, which had a five-game winning streak halted. Shawn Marion scored 27 points, while reigning MVP Steve Nash collected 15 points and 15 assists in defeat.

The Suns are an impressive 33-7 at home this season. With a win tonight, the Suns would match their season-best win total, which was accomplished in the 1992-93 and 2004-05 campaigns.