The Knicks are in last place in the Atlantic Division. They trail the first place New Jersey Nets by 9 1/2 games.
Phoenix, which is in first place in the Pacific Division, attempts to finish its five-game road trip with a perfect 5-0 record. On Saturday, Shawn Marion ended with game-highs of 28 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Suns to a 107-98 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
Raja Bell registered 19 points and six rebounds for the Suns, who have won four straight and six of their last eight games overall. Boris Diaw chipped in 16 points, while the reigning MVP Steve Nash came up just short of a triple double with 14 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.
The Suns are a solid 9-4 on the road this season. After tonight’s game, they return home for a tough three-game homestand. Phoenix is scheduled to host Philadelphia, Miami and San Antonio on the upcoming stand.
New York enters tonight’s contest on a three-game losing streak. On Friday, Maurice Williams scored 30 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Knicks, 113-108, at the Bradley Center.
Stephon Marbury finished with 23 points and a season-high 12 assists, while rookie Nate Robinson added 19 points and Maurice Taylor netted 18 in the loss to the Bucks for New York, which has dropped 10 of its last 11 games overall.
On the injury front for the Knicks, guard Quentin Richardson (back) is questionable for tonight’s contest. A former Sun, Richardson, who was acquired in an offseason trade from Phoenix, is averaging 7.3 points and 4.1 assists in 22 contests for New York this season. Richardson did not play against Milwaukee.
The Knicks, who will also host Washington and Seattle on the current homestand, are just 4-8 at Madison Square Garden this season. They have dropped six of their last seven at home.
This is the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On December 9th, Nash scored 19 points and dished out nine assists to lead the Suns over the Knicks, 85-81, at America West Arena.
Phoenix has won four straight and six of the last 11 meetings in this series. The Suns have dropped six of eight and 10 of their last 13 at New York.
Phoenix Suns 
New York Knicks 
