(My Sportsbook) - Pacific Division rivals square off in the front end of a home-and-home set on Wednesday, when the
Phoenix Suns visit Oakland to take on the
Golden State Warriors.
The Suns salvaged the finale of a three-game homestand on Monday, when Amare Stoudemire led a balanced attack with 25 points and eight rebounds and Phoenix set a US Airways Center record for largest winning margin with a 129-81 blowout of the Sacramento Kings.
Jason Richardson scored 16 of his 24 points in the opening quarter for the Suns, who led by as many as 50 on the way to breaking a two-game skid. Grant Hill scored 14 points, Leandro Barbosa 11, and Shaquille O'Neal ended with 10 points and nine rebounds as the Suns also broke a three-game slide at home.
The Warriors, meanwhile, dropped their second straight game on Monday, when Tim Duncan scored 32 points and pulled down 15 rebounds and Manu Ginobili got the game into overtime with two free throws late in regulation, as the San Antonio Spurs downed the Warriors, 110-105.
Golden State's Stephen Jackson poured in 33 points and had 11 assists, but was unable to draw iron on his final shot at the end of regulation. Monta Ellis added 17 points with eight rebounds and Corey Maggette donated 15 for the Warriors, who have lost three of their last four.
Home cooking has meant a lot in this series recently, with the host holding serve seven straight times. The Suns, who are an identical 13-10 at home and on the road, have dropped three straight contests in Oakland, where the Warriors are 10-12 on the season.
The teams will meet again in Phoenix on Friday night.