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Suns, Rockets square off looking to improve playoff position

Apr 11, 2008 - 2:40 PM Phoenix (53-26) at Houston (53-25) 8:30 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets each look to take a step toward home-court advantage when the teams meet in a key Western Conference contest on Friday.

Phoenix is currently in sixth place in the standings, but just one-half game behind Houston and San Antonio (53-25), which is in third place. The Los Angeles Lakers (54-25) are one game ahead of the Suns for the second seed.

The Suns are 2-1 against the Rockets this season and can earn the first tie-breaker with another win.

Phoenix is coming off an impressive 96-79 victory over San Antonio on Wednesday.

Amare Stoudemire led six players in double figures with 21 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 16 and nine rebounds for the Suns, who held the Spurs to just 34 points in the second half.

Tracy McGrady missed Wednesday's 103-80 victory over Seattle with a sore left shoulder but Rafer Alston returned from a three-game absence and had 18 points.

Luis Scola chipped in 13 and 12 rebounds for Houston, which has won four straight games.