Yet another Western Conference game that will play a big role in playoff seeding takes place Wednesday night in San Antonio when the Suns visit, with the Spurs 7-point betting favorites at WagerWeb.com
San Antonio is one game behind the Hornets for the top spot in the West standings and the Southwest Division. The Spurs are the No. 2 seed and sit just a half game ahead of the third-seeded Lakers, who are in first place in the Pacific Division.
The Suns are one game behind the Lakers in the Pacific standings. They are also the sixth seed in the conference, a half game behind No. 5 Houston.
"In past seasons with five games to go, you knew you could be first, second, third or even fourth, and that's it. This year it could be seventh, so it puts pressure on everybody," San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili said. "We can't slow down, we have to keep playing."
Phoenix, which was eliminated by San Antonio in six games in the 2007 West semis, is 2-1 against the Spurs this season. The Suns snapped a seven-game series road losing streak on Dec. 17, 2007. Phoenix has still lost 12 of its last 14 at San Antonio.Phoenix, winner of 12 of 16, is a little beat up heading into tonight’s game.
Shaquille O'Neal sat out Tuesday's game because of a hip bruise he took in the first two minutes of Sunday's Dallas game, when he fouled Jason Terry but took a Terry knee into his hip. He played that game in pain and sat out Monday's practice.
"I offered to take some drugs and play, and Coach Mike (D'Antoni) said no," O'Neal said.
O'Neal said he would play tonight. In the first Suns-Spurs game, he had 14 points and 16 rebounds, held San Antonio’s Tim Duncan to 6 for 19 from the field. Shaq is averaging 12.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in 24 games with Phoenix.
Suns point guard Steve Nash is also hurting. He sat out Tuesday's shootaround because of back spasms. He said he tweaked it during Monday's practice and felt tight Tuesday.
"It was pretty tough, but I was good enough to get through the game," Nash said after a 16-point effort in a win over Memphis on Tuesday. “I've got to play (against the Spurs). The Spurs have won five straight and 12 of 13 at home but have scored just 72 and 64 points in its last two games, their two lowest point totals of the season.
However, the Spurs have held their last 11 opponents under 100 points, with those teams averaging just 86.1 points and shooting 40.7 percent from the field.
The Suns have 114.5 points over their past 16 games. Amare Stoudemire has topped 30 points 13 times since O'Neal joined the Suns.
Betting trends: Phoenix is 38-37-3 ATS ... San Antonio is 36-41 ATS. ... The total has gone under in 5 of Phoenix’s last 6 games vs. San Antonio. ... San Antonio is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home. (over/under: 197).
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