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Suns seek third straight win vs. Knicks despite injuries

Nov 13, 2007 - 5:45 PM New York (2-3) at Phoenix (5-2) 9:00 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Injuries to Amare Stoudemire and Raja Bell haven't kept the Phoenix Suns from winning.

The Suns go for their third straight on Tuesday when they face the New York Knicks.

Bell, who sprained his right ankle against the Miami Heat on Friday, was unable to play on Saturday against the Orlando Magic and may not be healthy in time for Tuesday's game. Leandro Barbosa made his first start of the season in place of the injured Bell and led the Suns to a 106-96 victory, scoring 39 points while hitting 8-of-13 shots from 3-point range.

Barbosa has been terrific for the Suns, averaging 18.6 points and 3.4 assists this season.

Stoudemire added 13 points against the Magic after missing three games earlier in November due to pain in his knee. The 24-year-old center hasn't found his 2006-07 form yet this campaign, averaging just 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds after scoring 20.4 points and 9.3 rebounds a game last season.

The Knicks suffered a second straight loss on Sunday as they were also without their key player, Zach Randolph.

Randolph, who has a double-double in each of his first four games, missed Sunday's contest against the Heat after returning home following the death of his grandmother on Friday and it is uncertain when the forward will return.