Suns at Cavaliers
THE STORY: The Phoenix Suns have gone 10-4 during the month of March to climb back in the playoff race. They’re back to .500 and just two games out of a playoff berth. The Cleveland Cavaliers won at Phoenix on Jan. 12, but they’ve lost five of their last six and are fading fast in the East. The host Cavaliers are now five games behind the New York Knicks for the final playoff spot after lingering around the race much longer than anyone expected.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Ohio
ABOUT THE SUNS (24-24): The Suns are finally starting to reach a tempo offensively that is suitable to coach Alvin Gentry. With a renewed focus on defense this season, the Suns were among the slowest teams in the league and, as a result, had among the fewest possessions. Now they’re in the top 10 in possessions and still playing well defensively, leading to this 10-4 surge following the All-Star break. Gentry’s teams are traditionally always better record-wise following the break and this season is no exception.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (17-28): A recurring problem for Cleveland and coach Byron Scott is the offense’s inability to get anything done when both Kyrie Irving and Antawn Jamison are out of the game. Both were on the bench for the start of the fourth quarter Friday and the Cavaliers went scoreless for the first 3 ½ minutes in their loss at Orlando. Scott is tinkering with ways to keep at least one on the floor at all times, even if it means subbing one of them out earlier than usual in the first quarter.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Since moving into the starting lineup four games ago, rookie center Tristan Thompson is averaging 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds.
2. A Cavaliers victory would give them a series sweep over the Suns for the third time in the last four years.
3. Steve Nash had 16 points and 15 assists in the loss to Cleveland earlier this season.