Trail Blazers at Suns
THE STORY: What will the Phoenix Suns do with point guard Steve Nash? That storyline will likely overshadow whatever the team does on the court as it begins a two-game mini-homestand Friday against the formidable Portland Trail Blazers. Phoenix is off to a sluggish start, and even Nash has yet to fire on all cylinders. With the Suns not expected to contend for a playoff berth, the big story is whether Phoenix will try to parlay their franchise guard into some young, long-term assets or keep him on board and risk losing him as a free agent at season's end. Phoenix is coming off a 98-89 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, a game in which Nash scored 15 points - only his third double-digit effort of the season - and dished out a season high-tying 12 assists. The Trail Blazers are coming off an impressive 107-96 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Down four points at the half, but Blazers poured it on in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 32-18 to post their second straight win and take over sole possession of top spot in the Northwest Division.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (5-1): Portland isn't looking past Phoenix by any means, but the Trail Blazers know the three-game homestand that follows Friday's visit is a critical one. Games against Cleveland, the L.A. Clippers and Orlando will be followed by a grueling road swing that will see the Blazers play in six different cities spanning two countries over a nine-day span. Building momentum through homecourt advantage could prove vital heading into that trip.
ABOUT THE SUNS (2-4): Phoenix's offensive struggles are a major surprise to anyone used to seeing the run-and-gun Suns tear up opposing defenses over the past several years. They come into Friday's game ranked in the bottom 10 in points per game (91.3), field-goal percentage (42.1) and 3-point percentage (28). Even Nash - considered one of the most accurate marksmen at his position - is shooting only 42.2 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Portland prevailed in three of four meetings between the clubs a season ago.
2. Nash averages only 13.2 points and 7.2 assists in 51 career games against Portland - well below his career marks of 14.6 points and 8.5 helpers.