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Stoudemire, Suns look to gain season split with Timberwolves

Apr 4, 2008 - 1:35 PM Minnesota (19-55) at Phoenix (50-25) 10:00 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - The Minnesota Timberwolves have not had much success this season. But they do have a pair of wins against the Phoenix Suns to their credit.

Surprisingly, the Suns look to gain a season split with the Timberwolves when the two teams meet Friday.

The Suns are fifth place in the Western Conference, but just 2 1/2 games behind New Orleans (52-22) for first place. Phoenix is one game back of the Los Angeles Lakers (51-24) for the top spot in the Pacific Division.

Phoenix defeated Denver on Monday but failed to complete a home-and-home sweep, dropping a 126-120 decision at the Nuggets on Tuesday.

Leandro Barbosa scored 27 points and Steve Nash added 17 and 18 assists. Amare Stoudemire had 25 points and is averaging 32.0 points over his last seven contests.

Minnesota, which has played admirably after a 5-34 start, has lost four of its last five games after a 117-100 defeat at Utah on Wednesday.

Marko Jaric led six players in double figures with 18 points, while leading-scorer Al Jefferson netted just 12 points in the loss. The 23-year-old center is scoring 20.9 points per game this season.

The Timberwolves' two wins over Phoenix came in Minnesota, while the Suns won the other meeting at home, 115-95, on January 18.