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The Phoenix Suns are no Sacramento Kings, who sit at the bottom of the Pacific Division at 4-10. But after a blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, the Suns are clinging to the back of the other three members of the division.
At 7-9, Phoenix is a half game behind the Los Angeles Lakers and 2.5 games off of the division-leading Los Angeles Clippers (9-6). The Golden State Warriors are a half game behind the Clippers at 8-6.
The Los Angeles Lakers sit a half game ahead of Phoenix as of Thursday afternoon, and Steve Nash's new club are in the eighth playoff spot. The Suns can keep pace if they beat the Toronto Raptors (3-13) in Toronto on Friday, but their current road trip ends with a tough game against the New York Knicks and then against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Here's a look at the standings in the Western Conference:
| Team | Record |
| Memphis | 11-2 |
| San Antonio | 13-3 |
| Oklahoma City | 12-4 |
| LA Clippers | 9-6 |
| Golden State | 8-6 |
| Utah | 9-7 |
| Denver | 8-7 |
| LA Lakers | 7-8 |
| Houston | 7-8 |
| Dallas | 7-9 |
| Phoenix | 7-9 |
| Minnesota | 6-8 |
| Portland | 6-9 |
| Sacramento | 4-10 |
| New Orleans | 4-10 |