Suns start five-game homestand against Kings

(Basketball News) - The Sacramento Kings attempt to avoid starting a new season with three straight losses for the second straight year, as they visit the Phoenix Suns tonight at America West Arena.

Sacramento opened the 2005-06 campaign on a three-game road trip. On Wednesday, Jon Barry scored 24 points off the bench while All-Star center Yao Ming netted 22 and grabbed 10 rebounds, as Houston tipped off its 2005-06 season with a 98-89 victory over the Kings at the Toyota Center.

Bonzi Wells finished with 22 points and a career-best 18 rebounds, while Brad Miller netted 21 points for the Kings, who played better than Wednesday’s 93-67 whipping by the Hornets in Oklahoma City.

After tonight’s contest, the Kings will play five of their next six games at ARCO Arena. They will host Detroit, Denver, New York, Utah and Milwaukee, and will visit Denver.

Phoenix begins a five-game homestand tonight. The Suns will also host Detroit, Golden State, Memphis and Utah on the current stand.

The Suns will attempt to win their third straight game. On Saturday, Shawn Marion had 20 points and 14 rebounds as Phoenix came from behind to defeat the Utah Jazz, 97-88, at the Delta Center.

Reigning MVP Steve Nash finished with 14 points and 11 assists and Boris Diaw added 14 points, four rebounds and six assists off the bench for the Suns, who have won two in a row after losing their first game of the season in double- overtime to Dallas.

Last season, the teams split four games as each club picked up a victory at home and on the road. Overall, Sacramento has won five of eight and 10 of the last 15 meetings between the squads. The Kings have lost two of three and four of their last six at Phoenix.