Jared Dudley thriving in starting role once again

After spending nine games coming off the bench, Jared Dudley is back in the Suns' starting line-up, and both the team and player are better because of it. Phoenix has won three straight entering Wednesday night's game against Charlotte.

For Dudley, his return to the starting line-up five games ago has resulted in several big nights, including two of his best games this season in his last two outings.

Last Friday against Utah, Dudley scored a season-high 22 points and added four rebounds and five assists, as the Suns upset the Jazz 99-84 at home. On Monday night, Dudley followed that up with 20 more points, including four three-pointers in a 101-90 victory over Sacramento.

And thanks in large part to Dudley's strong play, the Suns are playing their best basketball of the season. In the nine games Dudley came off the bench, Phoenix went just 3-6 overall with losses to Detroit and Toronto, two of the worst teams in the NBA.

However, since Dudley has re-entered the starting line-up Phoenix has won five straight, including a victory last Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis is currently 16-6 overall and has the third best record in the Western Conference.