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Suns look to continue surge towards second seed

Apr 11, 2007 - 4:04 PM Seattle (31-47) at Phoenix (58-19) 10:00 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - The Phoenix Suns can move closer to clinching the second seed in the Western Conference, which sets up their postseason very favorably.

The Suns (58-19) host the Seattle Supersonics on Wednesday, still needing any combination of wins or losses by San Antonio (56-21) equaling two to clinch the second seed in the West.

Should both teams with their first-round series, they would meet in the conference semifinals. By finishing second, Phoenix would have home-court advantage in that series, with a potential Game Seven at USAirways Arena.

The Suns have won five of their last six games, avereraging 117 points in the wins. But they managed just 85 points in Thursday's 92-85 loss at San Antonio, which holds the tiebreaker.

Before worrying about the Spurs, the Suns have to handle the Sonics, who have lost five of their past six games and are shedding players along the way.

Guard Earl Watson left in the first quarter of Monday's 95-90 home loss to Houston with an ankle injury and guards Luke Ridnour and Ray Allen are out for the season with ankle injuries.

The injuries to Watson and Ridnour have elevated journeyman Mike Wilks to starting point guard. Wilks has played 62 minutes the last two games, surpassing his total from the previous seven contests.

The Sonics and Suns have split two games this season, with each winning on their home floor.