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Suns try to build on romp

Feb 4, 2009 - 11:16 AM Phoenix (26-20) at Golden State (15-34) 10:30 p.m. EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- A meeting with one of the worst teams in the NBA helped the Phoenix Suns gain some confidence.

A repeat could be in store when the Suns visit the slumping Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

After falling to 3-7 in its last 10 games following Saturday's embarrassing, 122-111 home loss to the Chicago Bulls, owner Robert Sarver, general manager Steve Kerr, coach Terry Porter and team leaders Steve Nash and Grant Hill held a closed-door meeting.

The meeting clearly boosted the Suns as they obliterated the Sacramento Kings, 129-81, on Monday.

Amare Stoudemire scored 25 points and Jason Richardson added 16 of his 24 in the fourth quarter for Phoenix, which dominated to the tune of the largest margin of defeat in the history of the U.S. Airways Center.

Ironically, the Suns routed the Kings by 55 points, 140-85, on April 17, 1989, for their largest romp at any venue. They had won by 46 here twice - once each against the Los Angeles Clippers (2000) and the San Antonio Spurs (1989). It was also the largest margin of victory in the NBA this season.

"A game like this was definitely needed just from the standpoint of our confidence to start believing again that we are a good team," Porter said.

Cooling the scorching Suns won't be easy for the Warriors, who led for a majority of Monday's contest against the San Antonio Spurs before suffering a 110-105 overtime setback.

The loss was the second straight for Golden State and fifth in the last seven games overall.