SEATTLE - The Suns are walking a fine line these days. They’ve wrapped up the No. 2 playoff seed, something that’s been a near-lock since the February All-Star break.

SEATTLE - The Suns are walking a fine line these days. They’ve wrapped up the No. 2 playoff seed, something that’s been a near-lock since the February All-Star break.

PHOENIX - What a difference some fresh legs — and a nine-man rotation — made for the Phoenix Suns Tuesday. After losing four of their last five games and limping back from a painful road trip with only seven healthy players, the Suns took two days off, gathered some reinforcements, shot 52 percent from the field and dismantled Seattle 111-83 at America West Arena.

Amaré Stoudemire misses another game. No problem. Who needs a dominant inside presence, when you can throw somebody else in the paint such as. . .Steve Nash?

As well as the Suns are playing — seven wins in the last 10 games, 10 games over .500 since Christmas and 27-11 after a 4-5 start — the natural tendency is to look up at San Antonio and Dallas, six games ahead in the Western Conference standings, and wonder if there is still time to catch up.

As well as the Suns are playing — seven wins in the last 10 games, 10 games over .500 since Christmas and 27-11 after a 4-5 start — the natural tendency is to look up at San Antonio and Dallas, six games ahead in the Western Conference standings, and wonder if there is still time to catch up.

Are the Kings dead?

The idea of a quick start has disappeared in the rearview mirror. Now, the Coyotes’ goal is one of lesser expectations: avoid getting buried early in what could be the NHL’s toughest division.

The idea of a quick start has disappeared in the rearview mirror. Now, the Coyotes’ goal is one of lesser expectations: avoid getting buried early in what could be the NHL’s toughest division.

KUQA, China - Donkeys pulled melon-laden carts through the streets and women sold bowls of yogurt Monday in the market of this mostly Muslim city in a remote corner of China, the day after militant bombings left a dozen people dead.

The Clippers may be the team to beat in the Pacific Division.

If 2011 is not an anomaly, and the era of riding a dominant pitcher to an Arizona high school softball title is over, then Sunrise Mountain is riding a crest of a new wave.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed a one-year affiliation agreement with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL.