Suns at Thunder
THE STORY: They are still just 12th in the Western Conference, but the Phoenix Suns are making a run and own a three-game winning streak, rallying from double digits in each game. Now the Suns face their stiffest test of the month, playing in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. The Thunder will try to win their 14th in a row at home, where they are a league-best 16-1, as well as fifth straight over the Suns.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Suns), FS Oklahoma (Thunder)
ABOUT THE SUNS (17-20): Marcin Gortat is not one of the first big men thought of when it comes to gaudy stats, but the center is one of only four NBA players – joining Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum and Marc Gasol - averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. A big key to Phoenix’s winning streak is defense. Phoenix has kept its last three opponents under 40 percent for the first time since Jan. 27-31, 2008.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (30-8): Kevin Durant is second in the league in scoring but has had limited success against Phoenix. He has averaged 17.3 points in the past three matchups and shot just 34.9 percent. In a 95-91 win over Dallas On Monday, Durant was just 6 of 18 and had seven turnovers, tying a season high. “The thing is with us, we’ve just got to continue to just keep playing hard no matter if we’re making shots or not, and playing together on both ends,” Durant said.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The last time the Suns came back from double-digit deficits to win at least three consecutive games was from Nov. 6-15, 2002, when they won four consecutive against the Hawks, Trail Blazers, Nuggets and Rockets.
2. Oklahoma City has not had a longer home winning streak since the franchise won 17 in a row in Seattle in 1994-95.
3. Phoenix has lost three in a row on the road, allowing 107.3 points. Oklahoma City leads the league in scoring at home (104.9).