Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns were far from playoff contention heading into the All-Star break.
Since the beginning of March, however, they have turned a corner, compiling an 18-10 record and are just a half-game behind the Utah Jazz for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Phoenix (32-30) looks to bounce back from a loss and stay squarely in the playoff picture as they host the Los Angeles Clippers in Thursday’s best game on TNT.
They defeated the Clippers in the first two meetings by a combined seven points before suffering a 103-86 loss back on March 29 at the Staples Center.
Blake Griffin was phenomenal in that meeting, notching 27 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Chris Paul also made his mark with 15 points and 15 assists.
The Suns play three of their remaining four games at home, but will face stiff competition against the Clippers, Denver, Utah and San Antonio.
The team has won seven of 11 games in the month of April despite allowing 100 points or more in nine of the 11 contests.
Marcin Gortat has had a breakout season, averaging a career-high 15.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. He could become just the eighth player in team history to average double-digit rebounds for a season.
Jared Dudley is also having a career year, averaging 12.7 points on 48.6 percent from the field – the third highest mark among shooting guards.
Steve Nash is second in the league in assists with 10.8 per game.
Los Angeles (39-23) holds the fourth seed and trails the division-rival Lakers by just 1/2 game.
Their current winning percentage of .629 is the best mark since the team changed its name to the Clippers from the Braves back in 1978.
Holding a 16-14 record on the road, they will look to finish above .500 away from the Staples Center for the first time since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. Three of the remaining four games will come on the road against Phoenix, Atlanta and New York.
The team has won 13 of its last 15 games and is looking to extend its current winning streak to six games. During the hot stretch, they have allowed 100 points or more just twice.