Suns prepare for second half

An area of frustration all season long for Alvin Gentry, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns has been a lack of practice time amongst this shortened schedule. After the Suns return home from the All-Star break, they have the luxury of two full days of practice, Tuesday and Wednesday, before their first game of the second half Thursday verse Minnesota. 

The Wolves on the other hand have to start the second half of the season on a back-to-back-to-back finishing in Phoenix on Thursday. 

The Suns are taking this valuable time to not only prepare for the final stretch of the season, but to be ready for the immediate stretch of the schedule that could be make or break for them. 

The Suns will play nine of the next eleven games at home which in the past has been a very promising sounding stretch of games. However home has not been kind to the Suns this season as they are 7-9 at US Airways Center, including losses to the Cavs, Raptors and Nets. 

Alvin Gentry has said repeatedly this season, and in a furious fashion after last weeks loss to Golden State, that the Suns need to figure out their home struggles and turn that around if they want to compete for a playoff spot. 

The upcoming stretch of games will put that to the test. 

The Suns will begin the second half of the season 13th in the West standings but could put a dent in that with the first three games all against western conference foes (Minnesota, LA Clippers and Sacramento), all at home.

For more on the Suns, follow Jared Cohen on twitter at @JaredPros2Preps.