Suns at Spurs
THE STORY: The momentum has vanished for the San Antonio Spurs, who look to cling to their now-slim Western Conference lead Sunday afternoon as they entertain the Phoenix Suns. A stunning six-game losing skid has the Spurs just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for top spot in the Western Conference. The Suns are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff race altogether, sitting 5 1/2 games back of eighth place in the West entering Sunday.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE SPURS (57-19): Two weeks ago, the Spurs enjoyed a seven-game advantage over the Lakers and were threatening to run away with the best record in the conference. That lead has all but vanished thanks to a season-worst losing skid that was extended Friday with a 119-114 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. Tony Parker had a team-high 31 points in defeat while Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan added 23 apiece. The six-game skid is the longest for the Spurs since the 1996-97 season. They'll play three of their final five games on the road, including a pivotal game against the Lakers on April 12.
ABOUT THE SUNS (37-38): A four-game losing streak to close out the month of March may have put the final dagger in Phoenix's post-season aspirations. Faced with a monumental challenge, the Suns responded to open April, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 111-98 on Friday night. Grant Hill's 19 points led six players in double figures in scoring as the Suns triumphed despite playing without flu-ridden point guard Steve Nash. It's unclear whether he will return to the lineup on Sunday. Phoenix will need to win each of its final seven games to have any hope of reaching the playoffs - and even that might not be enough.
WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Parker has averaged nearly 25 points over his last three games, shooting 54 percent over that span. Prior to falling ill, Nash had averaged nearly 11.5 assists over his previous nine contests.
KEY STATISTIC: 1-4 - The Suns' record without Nash this season. Friday's win over the Clippers was their first of the campaign with their All-Star point guard on the sidelines.
SEASON SERIES: The teams have met twice before, with the Spurs winning high-scoring affairs both times. San Antonio edged the Suns 112-110 in Phoenix on Nov. 3 and prevailed 118-110 in Texas on Dec. 20. Phoenix had won the previous five meetings entering the season.
KEY INJURIES: SAN ANTONIO: None. PHOENIX: G Steve Nash (illness); G Mickael Pietrus (quadriceps).
LAST WORD: “They are all tough losses now,” Parker said following the loss to Houston. “We are not making plays at the end of games. We have to stay positive and hope it turns our way. We’ll see what we’re made of.”