(Best E Casino) - The
Phoenix Suns and
Houston Rockets continue to battle for playoff positioning in the tough Western Conference, as both clubs square off tonight at the Toyota Center.
Houston is No. 5 in the West and sits a half game ahead of the sixth-seeded Suns. The Rockets are two games behind the New Orleans Hornets for the top spot in the Southwest Division and West standings.
If the Los Angeles Lakers win tonight and the Suns lose at Houston, LA would clinch its first Pacific Division crown since the 2003-04 campaign. The Lakers, who are one game ahead of Phoenix in the Pacific, host the Hornets Friday night at the Staples Center.
The Suns are 2-1 against the Rockets this season and have won eight of the last 10 contests in the series. Phoenix has also won seven of its last eight on the road against Houston.
Phoenix enters tonight's contest on a two-game winning streak. The Suns are 25-15 on the road and will play their final game as the visitor this season tonight. They will wrap up the regular season at home against Golden State on Monday and Portland on April 16.
On Wednesday, Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points to lead Phoenix, but it was the Suns' defense that shined in a stunning 96-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Two-time MVP Steve Nash recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists in the victory.
The Rockets have won four in a row and will conclude a two-game homestand Friday night. Steve Novak scored a career-high 17 points off the bench to lead Houston past the Seattle SuperSonics, 103-80, on Wednesday at home.
Rafer Alston chipped in 18 points and five assists in the win for the Rockets, who played without star guard Tracy McGrady (sore left shoulder). The 6-8 McGrady is questionable for tonight's contest. Defensive stopper Shane Battier (bruised left foot) is also questionable for the Rockets. Battier is averaging 9.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 78 games this season.
Houston is 29-10 at home this season. It has won three straight and 18 of its last 19 games at the Toyota Center.
The Rockets will visit Denver on Sunday and Utah on Monday before finishing up the regular season schedule on April 16 against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Toyota Center.
