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Suns aim for 13th straight win, face Timberwolves

Jan 21, 2007 - 6:57 PM Minnesota (20-18) at Phoenix (31-8) 8:00 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns will not have to deal with Kevin Garnett when they attempt to build on their winning streak.

The surging Suns shoot for their 13th straight victory Sunday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will not have Garnett in the lineup.

Since losing five of their first six games this season, the Suns have roared back to once again establish themselves as one of the NBA's elite squads, winning 30 of their last 33 contests.

Phoenix, which already reeled off a franchise-record 15-game winning streak earlier in the campaign, has averaged over 110 points over its current 12-game run.

The two-time reigning league MVP, Nash has been his usual self over the winning streak, averaging 18.1 points and 11.8 assists. The 6-3 Nash averages 19.4 points and a league-leading 11.5 assists per game this season.

Nash dished out 15 assists and and Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points Friday to pace Phoenix to a 106-101 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Boris Diaw scored 21 points and super sub Leandro Barbosa chipped in 20 for the Suns, who poured in at least 100 points in nine straight games and 11-of-12 during the streak.

Phoenix looks to continue its offensive onslaught Sunday against a Minnesota club which will be without Garnett, the 2004 MVP who drew a one-game suspension from the NBA for his involvement in a skirmish in Friday's 104-98 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Minnesota's leading scorer (22.2) and the league's leading rebounder (12.8), Garnett was ejected from Friday's contest midway through the fourth quarter after throwing a punch at Detroit's Antonio McDyess.

After throwing the ball at McDyess while play was stopped, Garnett took a swipe at the Detroit forward before teammates and officials intervened. The 6-11 superstar received the one-game penalty from the league on Sunday afternoon.

Mark Blount scored 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who also will be without suspended swingman Ricky Davis on Sunday.

Minnesota's second-leading scorer (15.4), Davis was penalized by the team after leaving the bench and heading for the locker room during Friday's game.