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Knicks continue homestand against Suns

Jan 21, 2009 - 11:26 AM Phoenix (23-16) at New York (16-24), 7:30 p.m. EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks seek their second straight victory as they continue their four-game homestand against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

New York is coming off a 102-98 triumph over the Chicago Bulls on Monday, and now its coach can focus on avenging a loss earlier in the season to his former team.

Mike D'Antoni was hired as Knicks coach in the offseason after going 253-136 in four-plus seasons with the Suns.

Since Phoenix never won a championship under the coach, D'Antoni was given permission to explore other options after a playoff exit at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference quarterfinals last summer.

Steve Nash scored 21 points, including a game-clinching 3-pointer with 28 seconds left in the game, as Phoenix captured a 111-103 win over the Knicks on December 15, which was D'Antoni's first contest back in the desert since departing.

The Suns have struggled lately, though, and are coming off a porous effort. Nash notched 12 points and eight assists, but they suffered a 104-86 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday.

Phoenix is 1-1 on its current season-high, six-game road trip.