Phoenix Suns (24-16) at Charlotte Bobcats (18-19), 7 p.m.
Sports Network | January 16, 2010
(Sports Network) - The slumping Phoenix Suns will resume a four-game road trip Saturday night, when they pay a visit to the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Phoenix has lost the first two tests of the trek and three of four overall, including Friday's 102-101 decision at Atlanta. Amare Stoudemire had 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns, who squandered a double-digit lead and got 12 points and 11 assists from Steve Nash.
"That's about as tough as it gets, guys," said Suns head coach Alvin Gentry. "I thought we did a good job for the most part. Once again we had a team shoot 41 percent against us, and (they) found a way to win."
Grant Hill had 21 points in a losing effort. The Suns will close out the road swing at Memphis on Monday and are 9-12 away from the desert this season.
The improving Bobcats hope to stay perfect on a six-game homestand tonight and are coming off Friday's improbable 92-76 triumph versus the San Antonio Spurs.
Boris Diaw led the charge with 26 points and 11 boards for the Bobcats, who are 3-0 on the residency and 15-4 at home this season. Gerald Wallace had 21 points, seven boards and four steals, while Stephen Jackson finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for Charlotte, which has now won six of its last seven games overall.
"We were more decisive on defense, and we rely on each other and trust each other more," Jackson said. "It's definitely showing out there on the court, but we're paying more attention of what (head coach Larry Brown) has to say."
Charlotte has won six in a row at home and will also welcome the Kings and Heat to town.
Phoenix and Charlotte split a pair of matchups a season ago, with each team holding ground on the home floor. The Suns have won nine of the 10 meetings in the series.
