SoCal NBA Preview

Phoenix (19-9) at LA Clippers (9-17), 7:30 pm
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Suns hope to escape a Staples Center sweep on Thursday when they meet the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 122-115, on Tuesday and have lost five of their last eight contests. Steve Nash had 24 points and 14 assists in the setback for Phoenix, which will be looking for its second win of the season against the Clippers.

On a positive note, Phoenix forward Grant Hill started his 27th straight game to open the season. It is his longest streak to open a season since he started the first 39 games for the Detroit Pistons in the 1999-2000 season. The Suns will be looking to reclaim their typical winning ways and avoid their second two-game losing streak of December when they meet the Clippers, who may benefit from their four days of rest as much as any team.

While guard Sam Cassell was back on the court for the first time since November 26 in the Clippers' 99-90 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday after sitting out with a strained left calf, leading scorer Corey Maggette sat out with a sore right knee and forward Tim Thomas sprained his left knee in the first quarter and left the game. Cassell's backcourt mate, Cuttino Mobley, has dealt with multiple injuries and a stomach virus that has hindered him since early in the season.