Phoenix Suns Team Report - February 23

(Basketball News) - The Pacific Division-leading Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at America West Arena. It will be the third meeting of the season between the clubs. In the two previous contests, the Suns defeated the Clippers twice at the Staples Center. The teams will play once more in the 2004-05 campaign, as Phoenix will host the Clippers on April 15th.

The road team has won five straight and 11 of the last 13 meetings in this series. Phoenix has won two straight, while the Clippers have won four of the last seven contests between the clubs. The Clippers have won three straight and five of their last six at Phoenix.

Phoenix, which plays the finale of a three-game homestand on Wednesday, attempts to get back on the winning track in its first game after the All-Star break. Last Thursday, Michael Finley posted 25 of his 33 points in the second half and Josh Howard added a career-high 30 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 119-113 victory over the Suns at America West Arena.

Amare Stoudemire collected 31 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Dallas for the Suns, who had their two-game winning streak halted and lost for just the second time in seven contests. Quentin Richardson netted 22 points for Phoenix, Steve Nash chipped in 19 points and 11 assists and Shawn Marion added 17 points.

Phoenix has scored over 100 points in 13 of its last 14 games. The Suns have scored under 100 points only nine times this season.

Marion, Nash and Stoudemire were all reserves for the Western Conference in Sunday’s All-Star Game at the Pepsi Center, while Richardson won the three- point shootout on Saturday.

The Suns, who are 10-3 in Wednesday games this season, are an impressive 19-6 as the host. Phoenix has won 13 of its last 17 at America West Arena.

Stoudemire is Phoenix’ leading scorer (26.9 ppg), while Marion is averaging a team-best 10.9 rebounds and Nash has posted a league-high 11.5 assists per game.

Phoenix will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday and is scheduled to host the Boston Celtics on Sunday. The Suns are 1-1 against the Mavericks this season and 1-0 versus the Celtics.