The 6-11 Phoenix Suns, fresh off of a single-night stop at home for a loss to the Toronto Raptors, now already are on the road, this time to face the 11-8 Portland Trail Blazers. Portland will likely be seeking to exact a bit of payback for the 102-77 loss they suffered in Phoenix. That game was probably the Suns' best game of the season on both ends of the floor.
Since then, inconsistencies have plagued them.
Both teams are coming off of losses, Phoenix falling 99-96 to the Raptors, while the Blazers fell to the Golden State Warriors on the road on Wednesday night, 101-93.
The Phoenix Suns will be without center Robin Lopez, as he is suspended for a game for having made contact with an official in the game against Toronto.
Phoenix has not won in Portland since 2008 and has yet to score 100 points while playing on the road this season.
Projected Lineups:
With Lopez out for the game, Channing Frye can expect to see extended time at center, while Hakim Warrick will likely see more minutes.
- Point guard: Steve Nash --- Raymond Felton
- Shooting guard: Ronnie Price -- Wesley Matthews
- Small forward: Grant Hill -- Gerald Wallace
- Power forward: Markieff Morris -- LaMarcus Aldridge
- Center: Marcin Gortat -- Marcus Camby
- Key subs: Suns (Jared Dudley, Shannon Brown, Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick). Blazers (Nicolas Batum, Jamal Crawford, Kurt Thomas).
TV broadcast info:
The Suns game tips off at 8:00 p.m. Arizona time on Fox Sports Arizona. Arizona Sports 620 radio. Bright Side of the Sun will have the live game thread.
Phoenix Suns At Portland Trailblazers Game Preview: Gut Check Time - Bright Side Of The Sun
The Suns are coming off of a disappointing two-game losing streak against the Dallas Mavericks without Dirk Nowitzki, and then against the Toronto Raptors at home who the Suns had previously beaten 14 times straight. The confidence of this team is in question and their future together hangs in the balance. The Suns' lone victory against an opponent with a winning record came against the Blazers back on Jan. 6th; when they upset Portland with a blowout victory 102-77. Tonight's game will either further the notion that something must be done to shake things up, or show that this team still has some fight left in it.
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