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O'Neal, Suns look to get on same page vs. Jazz

Mar 7, 2008 - 4:32 PM Utah (40-22) at Phoenix (40-21) 9:00 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Things have not gone as planned for the Phoenix Suns since the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal.

The Suns continue to search for consistency with their new center Friday when they host the Utah Jazz.

Phoenix is just 3-5 since acquiring O'Neal from the Miami Heat in early February and have yet to win back-to-back games with the 11-time All-Star in the lineup.

The Suns suffered their third loss in their last four games Wednesday, enduring a 126-113 setback against the Denver Nuggets.

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 22 points while O'Neal added 12 points and 18 rebounds.

The Jazz picked up their third straight win on Wednesday, claiming an impressive 105-76 victory over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves. Deron Williams scored 21 points and added 11 assists in the win.

Williams has done a terrific job of getting his teammates involved in the offense and has logged at least 10 assists in each of his last five games, including 20 against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

Williams, 23, is averaging 19.1 points and 10.1 assists this season. The star point guard collected 17 points and 11 assists in Utah's last meeting with the Suns, a 108-86 home victory on January 10.