Jazz at Suns
THE STORY: The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz are each lingering on the fringes of contention for the bottom spots in the Western Conference playoff structure entering their game Wednesday. The Suns have won seven of their last 10 games to pull within three games of .500. Coming off a tough loss at home to Minnesota, though, Phoenix could use a better defensive effort to stay in the race. The Jazz are a game up on the Suns but have had a tough time on the road, posting a 5-15 mark away from Salt Lake City.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Jazz), FS Arizona (Suns)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (20-21): Utah recently completed a five-game road trip 2-3, with the wins coming at Cleveland and Charlotte. Against stiffer competition such as Dallas, Philadelphia and Chicago, the Jazz struggled to stay in the game. Utah has not beaten a Western Conference team on the road since a 98-88 victory at Memphis on Feb. 12. The Jazz got a chance to help themselves at home Monday and took advantage, pounding the Detroit Pistons 105-90 as Al Jefferson collected 33 points and 12 rebounds. Jefferson has put up 29.7 points in the last three wins and 13.7 in the last three losses.
ABOUT THE SUNS (19-22): Phoenix had a good chance to inch one game closer Monday but could not figure out a way to stop the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 127-124 loss. The Suns allowed Minnesota to go off at 14 for 22 from 3-point range. That marked the first time this season that an opponent had shot better than 40 percent in the second half at Phoenix. In their last seven wins, the Suns are holding opponents to 89.1 points. Steve Nash has recorded four straight points-assists double-doubles and went for 25 points Monday - his highest output since a 30-point effort on Feb. 1.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Phoenix has taken five straight in the series.
2. Nash averaged 18.7 points and 9.7 assists in the three meetings last season.
3. Jefferson, whose grandmother died on Sunday, is expected to be with the team in Phoenix.