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Suns hope to have Nash against struggling Clippers

Jan 2, 2009 - 11:11 AM LA Clippers (8-23) at Phoenix (18-12), 9:00 p.m. EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Suns were able to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies without Steve Nash. The way the Los Angeles Clippers are playing, they may not need him again.

Phoenix opens a brief three-game homestand when it hosts struggling Los Angeles on Friday.

With Nash sidelined due to back spasms, the Suns posted a 101-89 victory over the Grizzlies on Tuesday. It's uncertain if Nash will play in this contest.

Leandro Barbosa filled in at point guard and scored 28 points to lead Phoenix, which also lost Amare Stoudemire in the second quarter when he was ejected.

Shaquille O'Neal had 24 points and 13 rebounds in the win and moved into eighth place on the all-time scoring list.

A number of offseason moves just have not paid off for Los Angeles, which comes in on a five-game losing streak.

Al Thornton scored 24 points and first-year Clipper Marcus Camby had his third straight double-double with 16 and 17 rebounds Wednesday's 100-92 setback against Philadelphia.

Another first-year member for Los Angeles, Baron Davis has been awful as of late.

Davis, who signed a five-year, $65 million contract in the offseason, is averaging 11.6 points over the five-game losing streak, while shooting 26 percent (18-of-70) from the field over that span.