Well, that's about all she wrote. After losing to the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night, the Phoenix Suns now find themselves in a hole so deep that it would take a really big ladder to get out of. Or maybe a really, really, long rope. Possible even some kind of Chilean mine rescue drill capsule thing. The eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies (40-33) are seven games over .500 with nine games remaining. The Suns (36-35) are one game over .500 with eleven games remaining and the 38-34 Houston Rockets (9th seed) stand between the Suns and the Grizzlies.
The team, however, vows to keep on fighting like baby Jessica in the bottom of a deep Texas well (link included for those under 30).
"There's no reason for us not to play hard and not to compete because that's what we get paid to do. No, we're not taking any days off and we'll find guys that play hard and compete," Alvin Gentry said.
The Suns, in an effort that Gentry hopes will help the team's energy, will start Marcin Gortat in place of Robin Lopez and Jared Dudley in place of Vince Carter.
Gortat broke his nose in Friday's game against the Hornets but will play tonight with tape on the nose. He will not wear a mask which means a blow to the nose could put him in the hospital.
"He'll go. He's just got a broken nose," Gentry said, "Steve (Nash) has played for the last three years with a broken nose. Around here, it's not that big a deal. It's a badge of honor as a matter of fact."
Forward Mickael Pietrus did not practice again today as a result of a quad strain and is doubtful for tonight's game. He declined to answer questions from the media after practice.
The game tips at 7:30 p.m. local time on Fox Sports Arizona and ESPN 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.