Phoenix Suns (14-4) at Cleveland Cavaliers (12-5), 7 p.m.
Sports Network | December 2, 2009
(Sports Network) - One night after having their four-game winning streak stopped and being held under 100 points for the first time this season, the Phoenix Suns will wrap up their road trip tonight against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.
Phoenix fell to 2-1 on the trek following Tuesday's 126-99 loss to former head coach Mike D'Antoni and the New York Knicks from Madison Square Garden. Steve Nash had 20 points and eight assists for the Suns, who are 8-4 as the visitor this season and sit a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the top spot in the Pacific Division.
Amare Stoudemire, Jason Richardson and Alando Tucker all scored 14 points in a losing effort.
"We have to bring the intensity every night. Tonight we didn't quite bring enough," said Stoudemire. "The Knicks kind of came out and jumped on us there."
After the Cleveland game, the Suns will return home to host Sacramento before leaving the desert again for two bouts against the Lakers and Mavericks.
The Central Division-leading Cavaliers will continue a three-game homestand Wednesday and opened the residency with Saturday's 111-95 victory versus Dallas. Mo Williams knocked down all seven of his three-point tries en route to a 25-point night, while James registered 25 points, 12 assists and five rebounds for Cleveland, which has won four of its last five games to improve to 12-5 this season.
"I like being under the radar," Williams said. "I don't need all the publicity. I like to sit back, let them forget about me a little bit. They look up, I'm pretty good."
Anderson Varejao scored 15 points and Delonte West ended with 10 and 10 assists, as the Cavs pushed their home record to 6-2. Cleveland will also welcome the Chicago Bulls to the 'Q' on the residency. Cavs newcomer and future Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal will face the Suns for the first time since he was traded to Cleveland in the offseason.
Cleveland won both meetings with Phoenix last season after losing the previous four matchups in the series. The Suns, though, have won 15 of the past 20 games against the Cavaliers.
