Matt Barnes is averaging 11.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 28.7 minutes on the season.
Shaquille O’Neal made his impact felt in the Suns last home game with 19 points (8-12 FG) and 17 rebounds in 36 minutes against the Trail Blazers.
Raja Bell is averaging 9.8 points and 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting .450 (27-60) from behind the arc in 32.8 minutes.
Amare Stoudemire had 17 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, two steals and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line against Portland on Nov. 22.
Steve Nash is averaging 13.5 points, 7.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and is shooting .492 from the field and .442 from three point range in 33.2 minutes. Nash had 16 points (6-7 FG, 2-2 3FG, 2-2 FT), seven assists and three rebounds in his last game against the Blazers.
Next Suns opponent: Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Suns on Tuesday, November 25, in the first regular season meeting between the clubs since moving from Seattle. Phoenix swept the series last season and has won 11 of the last 15 meetings. The Suns are 115-85 all-time against the team and have a 75-25 record at home.
The Suns take on Al Jefferson and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in the first meeting between the clubs this season on Wednesday, November 26. Phoenix has lost the last two matchups in Minnesota but has won 10 of the last 14 games in the series. The Suns are 20-16 in games played in Minnesota.
With wins in four of the last five meetings at USAC between the teams, Phoenix welcomes Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley and former Sun Shawn Marion on Friday, November 28. On January 6, 2006, Steve Nash dished out a franchise-record 12 assists in the first quarter en route to a 111-93 win at home. Overall, the Suns are 30-10 in the series with a 16-4 record in Phoenix.
The Suns face Vince Carter, Devin Harris and Brook Lopez – twin brother of Suns center Robin Lopez – of the New Jersey Nets on Sunday, November 30 in Phoenix. The Suns swept the season series last year, and opened the season this year at the IZOD Center with a 114-86 win. Phoenix has won fourteen consecutive meetings at US Airways Center. On Dec. 7, 2006, Phoenix nabbed a season-high 161 points in a double overtime win, 161-157, in New Jersey.
The Suns head to New Orleans to face Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on Wednesday, December 3 for the first time since the Hornets stole the Suns’ home opener on October 30, 108-95. The 8-5 Hornets have won three straight games, and sit in second place in the Southwest division. The Suns have lost five-straight to the Hornets following a stretch during which Phoenix won 11-of-12 matchups. The Suns are 3-1 this season in the front end of a back-to-back set.
The Suns take on Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Thursday, December 4 for the first matchup between these two teams this season. The Suns have an advantage in the all-time series record, 69-49. Dallas has won four-straight games, tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the West’s longest active win-streak. Phoenix has won five of the last nine games in the series and has split the last 14 meetings with Dallas.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
* Grant Hill is three steals away from 1,000 for his career.
* Steve Nash is 31 assists away from passing Guy Rodgers for 14th on the NBA’s all-time assist list (currently 6,880).
* Nash is also just 32 assists from recording 4,000 career assists as a member of the Suns. It would make him just the third player in franchise history with 4,000 or more assists.
* Shaquille O’Neal is seven blocks from passing Tree Rollins for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time blocks list.
