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Suns aim to climb above .500

Nov 26, 2006 - 3:13 PM Phoenix (6-6) at Portland (6-8) 9:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Suns try to go above the .500 mark for the first time since the start of the season when they visit the Rose Garden to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

After the splitting their first two games of the campaign, the Suns surprisingly dropped their next four. Phoenix has worked out the kinks since then, winning five of its last six games and three straight overall to pull even in the win-loss column.

The Suns achieved that with a 99-93 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Friday. Two-time MVP Steve Nash scored 26 points and handed out 13 assists and, after a scoreless outing against the Hornets, Amare Stoudemire added 25 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high seven blocks.

Raja Bell had 18 points and Shawn Marion followed with 16 and 10 boards for Phoenix, which built a 39-21 cushion after the first quarter.

Meanwhile, the Blazers are coming off a season-low performance for points in a 105-85 setback to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Zach Randolph netted 24 points for Portland, which trailed, 65-43, at halftime.

This contest opens a four-game homestand for the Blazers.

The Suns won three of the four meetings last season and have come away victorious in six of the last seven overall.