Seattle (9-22) at Phoenix (22-9)

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., US Airways Center, Phoenix.
TV: TNT. Radio: 770-AM.

Series: Phoenix won the first meeting of the season, 106-99, on Nov. 1 at KeyArena.

Scouting the Suns: Phoenix is back playing well again, reeling off three straight wins after suffering through a stretch in which it lost five of eight, including to lowly Minnesota. The Suns have a chance to get on a hot streak, with 17 of their next 25 games at home.

Phoenix is led by the big three of point guard Steve Nash (16.8 points, 12.6 assists a game), Amare Stoudemire (21.8 points, nine rebounds) and Shawn Marion (16.3 points, 10 rebounds). The Suns lead the league in scoring at 109.4 points a game.

Both ex-Sun and current Sonic Kurt Thomas and Seattle head coach P.J. Carlesimo said the key will be controlling Nash and not letting him get into an offensive rhythm where he beats you scoring and passing the basketball.

Even though Seattle played Phoenix tough in its home opener, Carlesimo said defensively the Sonics allowed too many uncontested 3-pointers and will have to do a better job of closing out on Phoenix’s shooters on the perimeter this game.

"The thing we probably did the poorest is get to the 3-point shooters in transition," Carlesimo said. "They’re going to run and get those open 3s in transition and they had too many open 3s or good looks at 3s – some of which they happen to miss – but the number was just too high a number, and too many of them were uncontested."

The Suns will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Phoenix franchise tonight. Phoenix joined the league for the 1968-69 season – a year after the SuperSonics debuted.

Scouting the Sonics: Seattle will start with Kurt Thomas on Amare Stoudemire to start the game, although Stoudemire likes to get out in transition and is tough to hold down for one man alone.

Still, Thomas has lots of experience guarding Stoudemire with his time in Phoenix.

"I feel about Kurt on anybody but Amare is just a tough matchup," Carlesimo said. "A lot Amare’s stuff is transition and running the floor where it’s not even the guy that’s guarding him that ends up with him. And a lot of pick-and-rolls where sometimes the guy that’s guarding him doesn’t end up with him.

"But Kurt knows him and is going to put a body on him."

Also look for Seattle to go with two point guards together to take advantage of a smaller, quicker lineup, particularly against Phoenix that likes to go small a lot. Delonte West has played well lately, so expect him to see some time at shooting guard and for Kevin Durant to get some time at small forward.

Next: 10 a.m. Sunday at Washington, Verizon Center.