Clippers at Suns
The Los Angeles Clippers attempt to stretch their winning streak against Phoenix to 11 games when they visit the struggling Suns on Friday. Los Angeles kept its dominance going with two wins against the Suns earlier this season, including a 123-119 overtime win in Phoenix on Dec. 10.
The Suns are experiencing a tough 0-4 start to a seven-game homestand as they have allowed an average of 126 points in losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers. "As a team, we all just have to come out strong, just come out aggressive throwing the first punch," rookie center Deandre Ayton told reporters after Phoenix trailed by 23 points at halftime during Wednesday's 132-127 loss to the 76ers. "There's a really small margin of error to play against great teams like this so it's pretty hard to mess up and have silly mistakes against teams, and they'll make you pay." Los Angeles also lost to Philadelphia in its last game - 119-113 on Tuesday - and is just 5-9 after a 16-7 start. Reserve guard Lou Williams scored 22 points and topped 20 in five of the past seven games.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (21-16): Los Angeles allowed a stunning 76 first-half points in the loss to the 76ers before a late-game sprint made the final score look respectable. "We're not a team that can ease into a game," point guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. "We have to be dogs, we have to be gritty, that's our M.O., and we have to build off that. As of lately, we've been trying to ease into games, and we can't do that." Forward Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points in each of the past two games and tallied over 20 in seven of the past nine contests.
ABOUT THE SUNS (9-30): Star shooting guard Devin Booker had 37 points and eight assists against Philadelphia for his 10th straight 20-point outing and he is averaging 29.3 points during the span. The four consecutive home losses follow a stretch in which Phoenix won five of seven games and coach Igor Kokoskov is bemoaning that the slate hasn't allowed for much practice time. "When you have good foundation, a veteran team, you just polish what you have," Kokoskov told reporters. "Polish the foundation. We've had a couple of new guys, guys in and out. When your foundation is not as solid because we're not a vet team that can just polish, work on little details and move on. We have to drill some stuff. We can't talk basketball. We have to play basketball."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have prevailed by an average of 14.3 points during their winning streak against the Suns.
2. Los Angeles SF Tobias Harris scored 21 points against the 76ers after averaging just 14 over a three-game span.
3. Phoenix SF TJ Warren scored just seven points against Philadelphia after exceeding 20 points in nine of the previous 11 games.