Amare32
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New Orleans Hornets (8-12 ) @ Phoenix Suns (13-6)
When Monday 12th December
Time: 6.00 PT
Location: AWA, Phoenix
TV: UPN 45
Probable Starting Lineups:
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PG-Chris Paul
SG-Speedy Claxton
SF-Desmond Mason
PF-David West
C-PJ Brown
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PG-Steve Nash
SG-Raja Bell
SF-Shawn Marion
PF-Boris Diaw
C-Kurt Thomas
Game Preview
The Phoenix Suns hope a day off will help solve their recent offensive woes when they host the New Orleans Hornets.
Phoenix has seen its high-scoring offense sputter in its last two games after a grueling stretch of four games in five days.
The Suns, averaging a league-high 103.9 points, had their NBA season-high nine-game winning streak snapped with a 101-91 loss Saturday to the Los Angeles Clippers.
After averaging more than 114 points over its previous five games, Phoenix has managed to average only 88 points over the last two.
Fatigue may have been a factor with the Suns averaging just 37 points in the second halves of those games.
"We were draining so much energy on the defensive end trying to stop them, we couldn't score," forward Shawn Marion said after the loss to the Clippers. "We got in foul trouble early and guys were going down with injuries, so you can factor in a lot of stuff. But they stopped us."
Phoenix missed 12 of its first 13 shots in the fourth quarter.
"It was a tough game for us, considering that it was our fourth game in five nights," reigning league MVP Steve Nash said. "We scrapped, but we just struggled offensively and couldn't make any shots. We missed a lot of shots that we can make, but they also played well."
The Suns also suffered a pair of injuries in the loss. Backup point guard Leandro Barbosa, the team's third leading scorer at 13.9 points per game, appeared to have re-aggravated his left knee with 3:55 remaining and did not return.
Forward James Jones turned his left ankle in the second quarter and also did not come back.
X-rays for both players after the game were negative and their status for this game is not known.
Phoenix has won five straight from New Orleans by an average of 10 points per game.
The Hornets are seeking to end a five-game losing streak after a 110-100 loss Sunday to the Sacramento Kings. Rookie Chris Paul had 18 points and 12 assists to lead New Orleans, which was outscored 30-20 in the fourth quarter and fell to 0-2 on a three-game road trip.
"It's just frustrating, because we were right there with three or four minutes to go," Hornets forward P.J. Brown said. "We just couldn't get the job done. If we had dug deeper, maybe. But we couldn't do it."
Paul, the NBA rookie of the month in November, will get his first chance to go head-to-head with Nash. Paul leads all rookies with averages of 16.4 points and 7.1 assists per game. Paul's strong play has helped forward David West turn in the best numbers of his three-year career. West is averaging 16.3 points on just under 51 percent shooting.
Injury Update
Leandro Barbosa, who is out indefinitely after suffering a Grade 2 sprain that is similar to the one he suffered on Nov. 19 to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Barbosa reinjured the knee Saturday late in the Suns' loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, just a day after Barbosa returned to game action. He missed three weeks for the last sprain.
Like Barbosa, James Jones will not be available for tonight's home game with New Orleans. Jones suffered a Grade 2 right ankle sprain when he landed on Elton Brand's foot during Saturday's second quarter. He will be questionable for this week's three-game road trip, starting Wednesday in Dallas.
Jim Jackson could go from out of the rotation to starting for the second time this season.
