Nash-less Suns visit Seattle

02.14.2007

(Basketball News) - The Phoenix Suns attempt to halt a two-game losing streak, as they visit the Seattle SuperSonics tonight at KeyArena.

Both teams play their final game before the All-Star break. The 2007 NBA All- Star Game will be played on February 18th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Phoenix plays the first of a short two-game road trip. On Sunday, Kirk Hinrich scored 12 of his 29 points during a key fourth-quarter run and the Chicago Bulls ended a seven-game road trip with a 116-103 win over the Suns at US Airways Center.

Leandro Barbosa had 26 points in the loss to Chicago for the Suns, who have dropped two straight and fell to 3-4 since their franchise-record 17-game winning streak ended. Amare Stoudemire added 26 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix, which again played without Steve Nash.

Nash, the two-time reigning league MVP, has missed three straight games with a sore right shoulder. He will not play tonight and will miss Sunday’s All-Star Game.

Boris Diaw, who also sat out Sunday’s game against Chicago with back spasms, is questionable for tonight’s game. Diaw is averaging 10.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season.

The Suns are an impressive 19-6 on the road this season. They are scheduled to visit the Clippers on February 20th at the Staples Center.

Seattle tries to go into the All-Star break with two straight wins. Ray Allen and Chris Wilcox both scored 25 points to lead the SuperSonics over the Sacramento Kings, 114-103, on Sunday at ARCO Arena.

Rashard Lewis had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Sonics, who have won two of their last three games overall. Luke Ridnour netted 14, while Earl Watson and Johan Petro both had 12 points for Seattle, which avenged a home loss to the Kings on Saturday night.

The SuperSonics are 13-13 at home this season. They will host the Memphis Grizzlies on February 20th.

This is the second meeting of the campaign between the squads. On January 9th, Nash scored 27 points and dished out 11 assists, to lead the Suns to a 113-102 win over Seattle at US Airways Center.

Phoenix has lost five of its last nine at Seattle. The Suns have won two of the last three contests in the series.

PHO SEA

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