Suns focused on strong finish, not draft lottery odds

The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are headed for the draft lottery. That apparently hasn't dampened their spirits as they play out the string.

The Suns try for their second three-game winning streak of the season Monday night when they host a Kings team coming off an emotional victory its last time out.

The game can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona and FOX Sports GO, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Archie Goodwin scored 24 points and Mizra Teletovic added 22 to lead the Suns past New Orleans 121-100 on Saturday, giving Phoenix consecutive road victories for the second time this season.

"We've had a lot of injuries and other stuff going on, but we continue to fight through them," Goodwin said. "It just shows the character of this team.

"No matter what's going on, we're staying positive."

Getting hot to close the season might not be the best big-picture scenario for Phoenix (22-58), which could end up hurting its odds in the lottery with victories. They're recent win streak has pushed them ahead of Brooklyn (21-59) in the cumulative standings.

The Suns' offseason will also involve filling a head-coaching vacancy. Earl Watson has served as interim coach since Jeff Hornacek was fired on Feb. 1, but there's been no indication whether Watson will be around next season.

"That's just not on our minds right now," Goodwin said. "The coaching thing is out of our control and we're going to keep playing hard until the end. That's a big part of being a professional."

The Kings (32-48) are coming off Saturday's 114-112 victory over Oklahoma City in the final game at Sleep Train Arena. Sacramento moves to the new downtown Golden 1 Arena next season, but the emotion surrounding the departure from their current home was apparent against the Thunder.

"These are some of the best fans in the NBA, and we knew how bad they wanted a win," said guard Seth Curry, who made a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 20 points. "It was something we wanted to do for the fans."

Darren Collison recorded a season-high 27 points and eight assists amid a raucous atmosphere that featured cowbells clanging and fans on their feet chanting.

DeMarcus Cousins had 15 points and seven rebounds but fouled out with 3:26 remaining and struggled throughout, missing 17 of 24 shots. Cousins said he will not play in the final two games, but despite a possibly uncertain future with the team, the temperamental star center sounded committed to Sacramento afterward.

"I love this city, I love these fans, and I can't wait until next year," he said.

Collison has averaged 21.5 points and 6.0 assists in his last four. Rudy Gay had 24 points with eight rebounds Saturday and has reached the 20-point mark in three of his last four games. He's averaged 10.8 boards in that span.

The Suns' Teletovic has raised his scoring average to 11.9 by averaging 19.2 points in his past nine contests. Goodwin, averaging 8.8 points, has scored 40 over the last two.

The Kings have won five of the last six meetings with Phoenix and averaged 129.0 points in the past two. The Suns took the first matchup of the season at Talking Stick Resort Arena 118-97 back on Nov. 4.