Phoenix Suns Team Report - December 18

(Basketball News) - The NBA-best 20-3 Phoenix Suns go for their eighth straight victory this evening, when they host the upstart Washington Wizards at America West Arena.

Phoenix continued its torrid early season pace with a thrilling come-from- behind 112-110 win over the tough Seattle SuperSonics (18-5) at KeyArena on Friday night. The Suns shrugged off a 16-point deficit after the first quarter to whittle away and eventually overtake the Sonics.

In fact, Phoenix trailed by seven points within three minutes remaining in the game and still recovered for the win. Quentin Richardson’s three-point play with 1:10 left put the Suns ahead for good.

Joe Johnson paced the Suns with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Shawn Marion posted 22 and Steve Nash chipped in 21 points and 12 assists. Amare Stoudemire tallied 20 points and nine boards and Richardson had 18 points in the victory.

It marked the first meeting in almost five years between teams with better than .800 records after 20 games. The Suns have now won 16 of the last 26 against the Sonics.

Phoenix, which is 10-2 at home this season, has three of its next four contests at America West Arena.

Phoenix has won two of the last three meetings, including two straight at home. In fact, the home team has won the last four meetings in this series. All-time, Washington is 52-46 versus the Suns.