• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Red-hot Suns, Cavaliers face off in battle of superstars

Jan 11, 2007 - 8:37 PM Cleveland (22-12) at Phoenix (26-8) 10:30 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) - After winning the MVP award two seasons in a row, Steve Nash is playing even better this season. He has a matchup against LeBron James, who also is in the running for MVP.

Nash will lead the Phoenix Suns against James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a nationally televised matchup of hot teams Thursday.

After putting up two sensational seasons, many believed Nash had reached his peak. However, in 2006-07, the superstar guard is posting career highs in scoring (20.1), field-goal percentage (53 percent) and 3-point percentage (51 percent). He also is leading the league with 11.0 assists per game.

James has been just as successful. Known for his devastating combination of strength and athletic ability, James is averaging 26.6 points per game, down from 31.4 last season.

However, both superstars have their teams playing at a high level. After a franchise-record 15-game winning streak earlier in the season, Phoenix has reeled off seven in a row.

Shawn Marion had 29 points and 15 rebounds and Nash collected 27 and 11 assists as the Suns raced to a 113-102 victory over Seattle on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers are on a season-high five-game winning streak, including Tuesday's 108-98 triumph at Sacramento. James scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half.

Phoenix has won seven straight home meetings with Cleveland, dating to March 10, 1999.