(Best E Casino) - A pair of teams battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference meet tonight, as the
Phoenix Suns visit the
San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center.
San Antonio is one game behind the New Orleans Hornets for the top spot in the West standings and the Southwest Division. The Spurs are the No. 2 seed and sit just a half game ahead of the third-seeded Lakers, who are in first place in the Pacific Division.
The Suns are one game behind the Lakers in the Pacific standings. They are also the sixth seed in the conference, a half game behind No. 5 Houston.
Phoenix, which was eliminated by San Antonio in six games in the 2007 West semis, is 2-1 against the Spurs this season.
The Suns snapped a seven-game series road losing streak on December 17, 2007. Phoenix has still lost 12 of its last 14 at San Antonio.
San Antonio opens a two-game homestand tonight. The Spurs, who are an impressive 32-6 at home this season, will host the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday. They have won five in a row at the AT&T Center.
On Sunday, Tim Duncan scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, as the Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 72-65, at the Rose Garden. Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili added 10 points each for San Antonio, which has won nine of its last 10 games overall.
Phoenix plays the middle contest of a three-game road trip. On Tuesday, Amare Stoudemire scored 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, as the playoff-bound Suns, minus Shaquille O'Neal, defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 127-113, at the FedExForum.
Raja Bell contributed 18 points, while Steve Nash scored 16 points and dished out eight assists in the victory for the Suns, who have won five of their last seven games overall.
O'Neal, who was obtained from Miami earlier this season, was out with a right hip contusion. He is questionable for tonight's contest. Shaq is averaging 12.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in 24 games with Phoenix.
The Suns, who are 24-15 on the road this season, are scheduled to visit Tracy McGrady and the Rockets on Friday at the Toyota Center.
