Spurs at Suns
The San Antonio Spurs are the second NBA team to reach 20 wins this season and they attempt to add another to the total when they host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. San Antonio won for the 15th time in the past 17 games when it delivered a 108-101 home win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was sharply critical of his team after a loss to the Chicago Bulls last week but was highly complimentary after the win over Boston represented the second straight strong performance. "The ball movement, I thought we were a little bit more aggressive," Popovich said afterward. "We communicated pretty well defensively. The ball moved better than it has in the past here at home. We've had some problems with that." Phoenix won two of its past three games and shooting guard Eric Bledsoe scored at least 30 in each of them, including 31 in Tuesday's 113-111 overtime victory against the New York Knicks. He is the first Suns' player since Amar'e Stoudemire (2010) to record three straight 30-point outings and the franchise record of five is shared by Charlie Scott (1973) and Charles Barkley (1993).
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CW35 (San Antonio), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE SPURS (20-5): Star small forward Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points against the Celtics and he has reached 20 or more points in eight consecutive games and 15 of the past 16. Leonard has been particularly hot over the last four games, recording two 30-point outings and shooting a torrid 58 percent from the field while averaging 27.8 points. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge will return against the Suns after getting a night of rest against Boston and he will attempt to break out of a slump that has seen him average just 9.3 points over the past three games.
ABOUT THE SUNS (8-17): Veteran center Tyson Chandler has been a beast on the boards the past two games, collecting 21 against New Orleans on Sunday and a season-best 23 against New York. Chandler is averaging 16 rebounds over the last four contests and has reached double digits in each of the games. Rookie power forward Marquese Chriss recorded his first career double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) in 31 minutes against the Knicks and the 19-year-old first-round draft choice is displaying that he's ready to play a bigger role.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Spurs went 4-0 against the Suns last season and have won the past seven meetings.
2. San Antonio PG Tony Parker scored 16 points against Boston and is 13-of-23 from the field over the past two games.
3. Phoenix C Alex Len (hip) is questionable after sitting out Tuesday.