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Suns turn focus to visiting Kings

Mar 25, 2015 - 2:08 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Phoenix Suns need to continue winning in order to have a chance at a postseason berth, and they'll try for a fifth consecutive victory Wednesday when they host the Sacramento Kings.

Phoenix hasn't lost since March 13 at home against the Atlanta Hawks. The Suns have taken five of their last six and kept their playoff hopes alive in the Western Conference.

The Suns are ninth in the standings, but trail the Oklahoma City Thunder by three games for the final postseason spot. With only 11 games left, time is ticking on Phoenix.

"I do feel that they feel that we're in this playoff run," head coach Jeff Hornacek said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "We've got a chance. It's going to be a tough road because of Oklahoma City. It feels like they never lose, but we're in it. That's great for our young guys to go through this. These recent games are like playoff games."

But, the Suns are doing their part, including a 98-92 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Eric Bledsoe had 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds to lead the Suns. Markieff Morris posted 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Marcus Morris provided 11 points, 11 boards and seven assists for Phoenix.

The Suns blew a 15-point halftime deficit and trailed 88-87 with three-plus minutes remaining before Phoenix ripped off five straight points.

Tyson Chandler went 1-of-2 from the foul line with 53.0 ticks on the clock, but Markieff Morris nailed a step-back jumper from the left baseline at the other end to up the margin to 94-89.

Bledsoe sunk four free throws down the stretch to seal the outcome.

The Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, then the Thunder in a crucial matchup Sunday night.

The Kings have won three straight, all three at home and all three against Eastern Conference foes. They begin a four-game road trip Wednesday with stops scheduled in New Orleans, Memphis and Houston.

On Tuesday, Sacramento pulled out a 107-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

DeMarcus Cousins recorded 33 points, 17 rebounds, four blocks and forced a turnover on the game's final possession to seal the outcome for the Kings.

Rudy Gay complemented Cousins with 21 points, and Sacramento held on by the skin of its teeth for its first three-game winning streak since November.

"The energy of the team and the spirit of the team right now since I have been here, this is by far the best," said Kings coach George Karl.

Ray McCallum snuck in for a putback of Cousins' miss with around a minute to go to give the Kings a one-point lead. Philly's Robert Covington went 1-of-2 at the foul line with 39.5 seconds to go, then Nerlens Noel blocked a Cousins shot and forced him into a rushed fadeaway that drew iron.

Brett Brown called timeout with 8.2 seconds remaining and tried having Hollis Thompson play hero. Cousins, though, stripped the ball near the foul line, and the Kings survived a tight battle.

The Kings have won two of three this season against the Suns, including a double-overtime victory in Phoenix on Nov. 7. Sacramento is 3-1 in its last four in Phoenix.