Wizards 88 - 104 Suns
Final
  for this game

Wizards make a stop in the Valley of the Sun

Feb 20, 2012 - 3:49 PM (Sports Network) - The Washington Wizards hope to finish up a five-game road trip on a positive note in the desert tonight when they aim to halt a nine- game skid against the Phoenix Suns.

The Wizards opened their trek impressively with wins at Detroit and Portland, their first back-to-back triumphs of the season, before faltering against the LA Clippers and Utah. Most recently John Wall scored 24 points to lead Washington and Jordan Crawford added 21, in the team's 114-100 setback vs. the Jazz.

JaVale McGee ended with 15 points while Nick Young and rookie Jan Vesely each had 10 as the Wizards fell to 3-12 as the visitor on the season.

"They swung it around and made some shots," said Wizards coach Randy Wittman. "We have to do a better job of when a guy gets going, step up to the plate, get a little pissed off about what's going on and fight the guy."

Washington hasn't finished with a .500 or better record on a road trip of four or more games since a 3-1 excursion from Dec. 17-22, 2006.

The Suns, meanwhile, opened a six-game homestand on Sunday by salvaging the back end of a home-and-home set with their Pacific Division rival, the Lakers.

Jared Dudley led Phoenix with a season-high 25 points as Phoenix topped LA, 102-90. Marcin Gortat had a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Steve Nash added 14 assists for the Suns, who avenged a 111-99 loss on Friday night in Los Angeles two days earlier.

"I think offensively we were really efficient and we did a good job of executing," said Suns head coach Alvin Gentry. "It was just a really good win for us and we desperately need a good solid win at home against a good team."

Phoenix, which is just 6-8 at US Airways Center in 2011-12, has won four straight and 19 of 22 against the Wizards in the Grand Canyon State.

The Suns will finish their residency by hosting Golden State, Minnesota, the LA Clippers and Sacramento.






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