Knicks at Suns
The two worst teams in their respective conferences square off on Wednesday, when the Phoenix Suns host the New York Knicks. The Suns sit in the Western Conference basement but picked up wins in their last two games to jump over the Eastern Conference-worst Knicks in the race to avoid the league's worst record.
Phoenix can clinch a winning four-game homestand with a win Wednesday after knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks in the last two contests. "I think we found the grit and confidence to compete with these guys, and it is nothing but the trust the guys have in each other and fighting till the last minute," Suns coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters after the 114-105 triumph over the Bucks. "Just finding a way to land the plane, find a way to score in crunch time in the fourth quarter was big for us. Total team effort and I'm happy for our guys." New York enjoyed its own stretch of three wins in four games but has since dropped three in a row, including the first two of a stretch with six of seven on the road. "We don't worry about the record," rookie forward Kevin Knox told reporters. "We go out there and play for one another, play together, compete and play hard."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (13-51): Progress for New York comes on individual levels as it digs into the rebuilding process, and rookie shooting guard Allonzo Trier is impressing of late. The 23-year-old scored a team-high 29 points on 8-of-16 shooting in Monday's 115-108 loss at Sacramento and is averaging 21.3 points on 58.1 percent shooting over the last four contests. Point guard Dennis Smith Jr., 21, is making himself at home after arriving in a trade from the Dallas Mavericks last month and scored 18 points on Monday - the ninth time in 13 games with New York that he reached double figures.
ABOUT THE SUNS (14-51): Kelly Oubre Jr. broke out with 27 points and 13 rebounds in Monday's win while shooting guard Devin Booker provided a steady hand with 22 points and seven assists. "It just says a lot about this team," Booker told reporters. "We're not backing down to anybody. After the All-Star break, a lot of teams could shut it down, but we're not. It feels like a new season for us. Kelly and I were just talking. We wished the season just started right now. We're ready for every game. We're coming at teams and we're ready for it." Rookie center Deandre Ayton looks ready for every game as well and recorded another double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds on Monday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Suns SF Josh Jackson scored 16 points in each of the last two games, raising his season average to 11.2.
2. Knicks C DeAndre Jordan (ankle) missed the last five games but is with the team and could return Wednesday.
3. Phoenix rolled to a 128-110 win at New York on Dec. 17 behind 38 points from Booker.