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Marion, Suns hope for offensive sizzle against sliding Bobcats

Mar 7, 2007 - 4:20 PM Charlotte (22-39) at Phoenix (46-14) 9:00 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Don't look now, but the Phoenix Suns are playing some defense.

Coming off four straight games in which they have held foes below 100 points, the Suns host the reeling Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday in the continuation of a one-sided series.

Overall, Phoenix has won seven of eight. But in the last four - including a loss at Philadelphia - the Suns have surrendered an average of 93.8 points - well below its season number of 102.7.

The defense has been needed as the normally high-powered offense has bogged down a bit. In Sunday's 99-94 home victory over the injury-plagued Los Angeles Lakers, the Suns had just 17 assists and 16 turnovers.

However, Raja Bell and Shawn Marion - returning from a two-game absence due to hand and quadriceps injuries - helped limit Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant to 11-of-28 shooting.

The Suns should not have any problem revving up their offense against the Bobcats, who never have won in five all-time meetings. The blank slate includes a 114-84 home loss December 10.

Charlotte has lost six in a row, including the first five of its six-game trip. It is severely missing the defensive presence of power forward Emeka Okafor, who has sat out five straight games with a calf injury.

Sunday's 120-95 setback at Utah marked the third time during the slide that the Bobcats had allowed at least 120 points.