Clippers at Suns
THE STORY: If the Phoenix Suns are going to make a postseason run, they'll need to take advantage of the current favorable portion of their schedule. The All-Star break gave the Suns seven days off and led into a stretch where they would play nine of 11 games at home. The opponents also set up nicely for Phoenix, which beat Minnesota for the ninth straight time Thursday night and will seek its ninth consecutive home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSAZ
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (21-12): Los Angeles kicked off a six-game road trip with a 108-100 victory at Sacramento on Thursday. Chris Paul had 22 points to lead six players in double figures for the Clippers, who had to be happy about the bench production they received from Mo Williams and Bobby Simmons. Williams was 1 of 12 on 3-point attempts in his last two games, but he connected on four in the fourth quarter to help break the game open. Simmons, who was signed to a 10-day contract Monday, buried three 3-pointers and had 13 points.
ABOUT THE SUNS (15-20): Along with Miami, Phoenix was the last team to play after the All-Star break – and the extra rest helped its aging stars. Grant Hill, 39, doubled his average with a season-high 20 points, including 15 in the second half, and point guard Steve Nash, 38, had a season high-tying 17 assists to go along with 13 points. Nash also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds to give the Suns a 44-37 edge on the glass. Since Feb. 1, two-time MVP Nash has averaged 12.6 assists in 14 games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Phoenix has won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Clippers.
2. Los Angeles F Blake Griffin averaged 21.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in four games vs. the Suns in his rookie season.
3. Simmons, who had been playing in the D-League, hit his first NBA 3-pointer Thursday since Dec. 19, 2009.