The Phoenix Suns kept their slim playoff hopes alive by outlasting the Sacramento Kings 109-100 on Tuesday night in California. As they have for weeks now, the Suns still hold 10th place in the NBA's Western Conference race. At 27-26 and 13 games left to play, the Suns are a half-game between ninth-place Utah Jazz and 1.5 games behind the Houston Rockets, who currently hold the eighth seed in the playoffs. The Suns can overtake the Jazz with a win tonight in Utah.
Phoenix overcame a 41-point, 12-rebound night from the Kings' DeMarcus Cousins and featured six players who scored in double digits. Marcin Gortat led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Steve Nash had 18 points and 12 assists.
Tonight, the Suns will travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Jazz in a stretch in which six of their next seven games are on the road and all are against Western Conference teams. Tonight's tip-off is at 7 p.m. TV: Fox Sports Arizona. Radio: KTAR 620 AM. More info: www.suns.com.