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Suns look to take advantage of hapless Thunder

Nov 25, 2008 - 2:54 PM Phoenix (9-5) at Oklahoma City (1-13) 8:00 p.m. EST

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- The Oklahoma City Thunder were the first team to fire their coach this season. So far, it has yet to make a difference.

The Thunder will look to give interim coach Scott Brooks his first win when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Oklahoma City sacked coach P.J. Carlesimo on Saturday morning and the Brooks-led squad responded that night with a 109-97 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.

"I want to continue to stress making progress and improving and developing our group," Brooks said. "Obviously, everybody knows that we have young guys that need direction, but our (entire) team needs direction.

"That's the role of a coach - to lead your team. I have clear plans and I will do whatever it takes to make this team play with much more energy and passion on the defensive end and for each other on the offensive end."

They should get a test on the defensive end against the Suns, who are averaging 100 points per game.

Phoenix is coming off a 102-92 win over the Portland Trail Blazers that snapped a two-game slide. Shaquille O'Neal had 19 points and 17 rebounds and Amare Stoudemire chipped in 17 and nine for the Suns.