Phoenix Suns Team Report - March 28

(Basketball News) - The Phoenix Suns host the red-hot Denver Nuggets on Monday at America West Arena in a possible first-round playoff matchup in the Western Conference. Phoenix is 2-0 against Denver this season, after being swept in four games last season. The Nuggets have been victorious in their last two trips to Phoenix.

Phoenix has a 1/2 game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the West, while Denver, which has won six straight games, has a 2 1/2 game edge over the Minnesota Timberwolves for the eighth and final spot.

The Suns were the last team to beat the Nuggets, and the only one to do so in the last 15 games. On March 13th Phoenix managed a 106-101 decision at the Pepsi Center.

On Saturday, Shawn Marion scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Suns held on to defeat Orlando, 118-116, at TD Waterhouse Centre. Joe Johnson added 26 points, while Steve Nash ended with 23 points and 12 assists for the Suns, who finished their five-game road trip with a record of 4-1. Amare Stoudemire posted 14 points and seven rebounds in the win, despite not scoring a bucket in the first half. Phoenix has won four of its last five games overall.

The Suns are 23-9 at home this season, but have lost their last two games at America West Arena. Phoenix begins a three-game homestand on Monday and will welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to town on Wednesday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

After Friday’s contest, the Suns go on the road to face the Houston Rockets on Sunday at the Toyota Center. Phoenix is 1-1 against the Rockets this season. The teams will also play on April 9th at America West Arena.

Marion has scored in double-digits in 66 of the 68 games he has played in this season. He is second on the team in scoring (19.4 ppg) and leads the club in rebounding (11.3 rpg). The All-Star forward has registered nine straight double-doubles and is averaging 21.2 points and 13 rebounds in his last 10 contests.

Nash has recorded 10 straight double-doubles. He is averaging 14.9 points and 11.9 assists in that span. The Santa Clara product leads the league in assists at 11.5 per game.