Suns, Grizzlies vie for much-needed wins

Phoenix is 1-5, which is the its worst start since the team opened the 1996-97 campaign with 13 straight losses. On Thursday, Dirk Nowitzki poured in 35 points and made all 12 of his foul shots, helping Dallas to its first win of the season, 119-112 over the struggling Suns at US Airways Center.

Leandro Barbosa tied a career-high with 30 points and reigning MVP Steve Nash had 20 points and nine assists, but turned the ball over 10 times in the loss to the Mavericks for Phoenix.

All-Star forward Shawn Marion totaled 21 points in defeat, while Amare Stoudemire finished with 16 for the Suns, who shot 11-of-21 from beyond the arc.

The Suns, who play the middle contest of a three-game homestand, are 0-2 at home this season. They will host Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers on November 17th in the finale of the current stand.

Memphis, which has lost two in a row, begins a three-game road trip this evening. All-Star center Yao Ming finished with 24 points and seven rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to an 86-80 win over the Grizzlies at the FedExForum.

Stromile Swift scored 15 points to pace in the loss to the Rockets for the Grizzlies, while veteran Eddie Jones netted 14 and rookie Rudy Gay contributed 12 points.

The Grizzlies are 0-1 on the road, as they lost to the Detroit Pistons, 95-86, on November 4th at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Memphis is scheduled to visit the Lakers on Sunday and the Sacramento Kings on November 15th.

Last season, Memphis won two of three from the Suns. The Grizzlies are 4-18 at Phoenix.