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Suns hope to have Nash healthy against hapless Hawks

Feb 9, 2007 - 3:32 PM Atlanta (18-30) at Phoenix (39-10) 9:00 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Amare Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns managed to get by without Steve Nash in their last game. They would rather not have to repeat the feat.

The Suns hope to have Nash back in the lineup Friday when they host the Atlanta Hawks.

The league's two-time reigning MVP, Nash is nursing a sore right shoulder, which caused him to miss Phoenix's last contest, a 109-102 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

The NBA's leader in assists, Nash did not practice Thursday and is a game-time decision for Friday's contest.

The Suns persevered without their floor general thanks to Stoudemire, who scored 36 points for the second straight contest. The All-Star center has been outstanding over his last four games, averaging 31.0 points and 13.8 rebounds over that span.

Leandro Barbosa, who replaced Nash in the starting lineup, scored 25 points Tuesday for Phoenix, which has won three of its last four contests since having its franchise-record 17-game winning streak snapped by Minnesota on January 29.

The Suns figure to keep on rolling Friday against Atlanta, which has dropped 21 of the last 27 meetings between the interconference foes.

The Suns have won five straight overall contests vs. Atlanta and is 12-2 in its last 14 home games against the Hawks.

Atlanta looks to bounce back from Wednesday's 87-85 loss to the New Jersey Nets. Josh Smith scored 20 points to pace the Hawks, who have won their last three road games.