The Phoenix Suns are technically out of the playoff hunt and while reality of how deep the hole is exists, they will continue to fight until they are eliminated. And from that point forward, as Coach Alvin Gentry stressed yesterday, they will play hard for 82 games because that's what they get paid to do.
"We are in critical situation now," center Marcin Gortat said yesterday, "Probably next lost game can cost us playoffs so we can't afford to come everyday now and just screw up and play some crap basketball."
The Suns have fallen from ninth to eleventh place in the West after losing their last four games, including critical losses to a team they are chasing (New Orleans) and a team that was chasing them (Houston).
Tonight's opponent, the Golden State Warriors (30-38), are 12th in the West and have lost to the Suns in their previous three meetings this season. The Warriors haven't won in Phoenix in their last 11 tries, but the Suns recently lost similar home winning streaks to the Nuggets and Magic.
Channing Frye will start tonight after missing the last five games with a dislocated right shoulder. He will wear a brace on the shoulder as he attempts to return ahead of schedule. The Suns were 1-4 without him.
The Warriors will be without center Andris Biedrins, who is expected to miss at least a week due to an ankle sprain.
The game tips at 7:00 p.m. local time on Fox Sports Arizona and will be broadcast on Sports 620 radio. Fans can follow along during the game with other Suns fans at the live game thread at Bright Side of the Sun.