Phoenix Suns News

The Phoenix Suns come into Houston reeling from a tough loss to Memphis and a recent penchant for porous defense, while Houston comes in smarting from a loss to Utah two nights after the Suns suffered the same result.

The Dallas Mavericks halted a two-game slide and will try to keep the momentum going Wednesday night when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans.

Sixers point guard Michael Carter-Williams was named the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October and November, the NBA announced Tuesday, becoming the first Sixer to win the award since Allen Iverson in April 1997.

Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond shoots as Miami Heat's Michael Beasley and Chris Bosh, center, look on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in Miami.

Former North Carolina star point guard Kendall Marshall, the 13th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, has been claimed by the Delaware 87ers, the Philadelphia 76ers' NBA Development League affiliate confirmed Tuesday.

Friday looms as the possible day of the return of Kobe Bryant , raising inevitable questions such as who needs to make the bigger adjustment - the Los Angeles Lakers or the Black Mamba? While there isn't a one-adjustment-fixes-all solution, there is ample reason to put the largest portion squarely on Bryant's plate.

The Mavs fell in Atlanta to the Hawks on Friday night, then couldn't stem the tide on Saturday when the Minnesota Timberwolves came to Big D and left with a 112-106 victory.

The Grizz started this stanza with a 97-88 setback to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

And yet there he was Sunday night, the team leader still - same as he has been throughout this Kobe-less season featuring uncommon team unity but highly inconsistent Pau production.

Jordan Farmar #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Scott Machado #30 of the Utah Jazz in the second half at Staples Center on October 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.

School: Syracuse University, '96 When you started with Bonneville Phoenix: December 1, 1999 Favorite sports memory: Game 7, 2001 World Series Least-favorite sports memory: Game 1, 1988 World Series Favorite all-time athlete : Larry Bird, Don Mattingly Favorite sports movies: Hoosiers, Field of Dreams PHOENIX, Ariz.

Nov 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Miles Plumlee blocks the shot of Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson in the first half at US Airways Center.

For a team with 10 new faces and a roster that is the second-most inexperienced in the NBA, the Suns, who were not expected to win much, won more than they lost through the first month of the season.

Gortat will visit Capitol Hill to attend a special screening of a movie based on the life of Lech Walesa, the former Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of Poland.

This time of year there are always names that are thrown out into the media that may be traded before the February deadline.

One of the pleasantries of watching the Los Angeles Lakers play this season is seeing so many different guys step up at one time or another.

So much so that superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki is advocating that the NBA change the way it schedules its games.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and nine rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers blew most of a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter before holding on to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-108 Sunday night for their 12th victory in 13 games.

Nov 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin drives past Charlotte Bobcats forward Anthony Tolliver during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The topics du jours are bad defense, bad losses and a player who may be on his way to a career year.