Clippers at Suns
The Los Angeles Clippers look to record their seventh consecutive victory over Phoenix when they visit the struggling Suns on Friday. Los Angeles was a hot squad prior to the All-Star break with 13 wins in 18 games but fell 134-127 to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday in its first game after play resumed.
The Clippers allowed more than 30 points of every quarter against the Warriors and allowed Golden State to connect on 62.7 percent of its shots, including 14 of 25 from 3-point range. The Los Angeles defense has been stellar against the Suns this year by allowing an average of 91.5 points in victories by margins of 42 and 13 points. The Suns, who are tied with the Atlanta Hawks for the league's worst record, have dropped seven straight games and 15 of their last 17, and their next setback will clinch their fourth straight losing campaign. "We're going to play the best and we're going to play them at a time where they're trying to get ready to be the best they can be," Phoenix interim coach Jay Triano said of an upcoming slate that still has three games against the Golden State Warriors and two against the Cleveland Cavaliers. "So let's find out who we are, let's find out what we have to do to be on that same level."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FSN Arizona
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (30-27): Forward Tobias Harris was acquired from the Detroit Pistons as part of the haul for Blake Griffin and he is fitting in nicely with the Los Angeles attack. Harris scored 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting against the Warriors for his third 20-point outing in seven games with the team. Standout guard Lou Williams had 21 points and tied his career high of 12 assists against the Warriors and he has recorded 10 or more assists four times this season after reaching that figure once over his first 12 NBA campaigns.
ABOUT THE SUNS (18-41): Phoenix has nothing to play for over the final 23 games but standout shooting guard Devin Booker doesn't see the stretch as a lost cause. "Build on for next year, trying to get some momentum that will carry over to the summer, that will carry over to the next season," Booker told reporters. One thing that will be closely observed down the stretch is how well recently acquired point guard Elfrid Payton meshes with Booker as the club has experienced issues at the position since dealing Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks in early November.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have won 15 of the past 17 meetings.
2. Los Angeles SG Avery Bradley (sports hernia) sat out against the Warriors and is questionable for Friday's game.
3. Phoenix signed G Shaquille Harrison to a 10-day contract and released G Josh Gray.