LeBron James

Suns' road to victory doesn't get any easier in Cleveland

Published Jan. 27, 2016 12:39 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

The Phoenix Suns' road losing streak stretched to 11 on Monday night in Philadelphia, and the road doesn't figure to get any easier on Tuesday.

Next up are the Cleveland Cavaliers, under new head coach Tyronn Lue.

The game can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona and FOX Sports GO, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Lue earned his first head-coaching win in his second game in charge on Monday night, a 114-107 victory over Minnesota. LeBron James had 25 points and nine assists and Tristan Thompson added 19 points and 12 boards.

The coach was presented the game ball in the locker room following the win. At Tuesday's practice, he once again stated that he wants Cleveland (31-12) to get into better shape in order to play at a faster tempo.

"It's tough but I told them at the expense of playing more guys or at the expense of losing a couple games, we're looking forward to playing in the playoffs and we've got to get in shape for the playoffs," Lue said. "And I believe that if you're in shape, it makes you tougher mentally and physically and you can do things harder and you things better and you don't give into fatigue."

The Cavaliers average 95.0 possessions per 48 minutes -- the league's third-slowest tempo.

The injury-plagued Suns (14-32) average 100.7 possessions to rank fourth.

The Suns are without point guard and leading scorer Eric Bledsoe for the duration of the season, and erstwhile backcourt leader Brandon Knight missed his third straight game Tuesday with a strained groin.

The result was a 113-103 loss at Philadelphia as Phoenix was swept by the NBA's worst team. Archie Goodwin, getting the start at point guard, scored a season-high 26 points for the Suns, who trailed by as many as 19 points in the second half before their rally fell short.

"You don't want to get down big and try to have to make comebacks," coach Jeff Hornacek said.

Phoenix is enduring its longest road slide since dropping 12 in a row in 2012-13.

The Cavaliers won 101-97 at Phoenix on Dec. 28. Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, including a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left that put Cleveland up by four. T.J. Warren led the Suns with 23.

Tristan Thompson is expected to remain in the starting lineup for Cleveland. Lue gave him the start on Monday following a five-game stretch in which he came off the bench.

Cleveland is 11-2 when Thompson starts.

"I think starting Tristan does give a lot of energy, you can put him on 4s or 5s to match up," Lue said. "That's something that we're going to look at going forward."

James needs 36 points to become the 17th player in NBA history to reach 26,000 in his career.

share

Get more from LeBron James Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

LeBron James

Phoenix Suns

National Basketball Association