Suns at Cavaliers
Two of the worst teams in the NBA square off when the Phoenix Suns visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. The Suns have lost 15 straight games to match the longest losing streak in franchise history, while the Cavaliers dropped 23 of their past 27 games.
Phoenix isn't close to matching last season's 21 victories and needs six wins to surpass the franchise-worst mark of 16-66, set in the team's first season (1968-69). "Fresh start. We have a stretch of games, very winnable games for us," Suns shooting guard Devin Booker told reporters. "Cleveland, Atlanta, Miami -- so we're about to go out East for the last time and hopefully come out with some big wins." The Cavaliers have been largely noncompetitive but are expecting to have standout power forward Kevin Love (foot) the rest of the season, barring any more misfortune. "He's gradually getting his legs under him and gradually getting to the point where he can play extended minutes," Cleveland coach Larry Drew told reporters. "I'm certain that once he is able to get out there and really play extended minutes he's going to make the most of it."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE SUNS (11-48): Phoenix has had issues shooting the ball and taking care of it as the club ranks last in 3-point shooting (32.6 percent) and tied for 28th in turnovers (15.5 per game). Just being competitive has been a problem as 31 of the team's 48 losses have come by double digits, including 16 by 20 or more points. Booker is averaging 24.6 points and a career-best 6.7 assists while rookie center Deandre Ayton (16.5 points, team-leading 10.5 rebounds) recorded 30 double-doubles.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (12-46): Love missed 50 games after undergoing foot surgery and has seen action in two games since returning -- playing six minutes in the first and 16 in the second. He is itching to get sustained playing time despite the season being a loss and told reporters on Wednesday and that he is still working on getting his conditioning back. "You just have to continue to find motivation and know that there's a bigger picture involved and you know, for me, it is tough," Love said. "It's the longest I've missed consecutively in my whole career but I just gotta find opportunity, find ways to get better and in a lot of ways my body feels really fresh. I guess that's the good thing in this and just continue to get better in my game."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Cavaliers won the past seven meetings.
2. Cleveland SG Jordan Clarkson is averaging 24.8 points over the past four games, including a career-high 42 points in a 148-139 triple-overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 13.
3. Phoenix G De'Anthony Melton (ankle) is slated to play after a nine-game absence.