CSN Bay Area

The Warriors dive into the challenging side of a back-to-back set Monday night when they face the Suns at US Airways Center in Phoenix.

The good news for the Warriors (49-12) is that they're healthy and seem to be heating up, having won their last three games. The bad news for the Dubs as that those games were at their imposing Oracle Arena home.

There is, however, another does of good news. Since trading guards Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas at the Feb. 19 trade deadline, the Suns (33-31) have lost six of 10 games and tumbled to the outer edge of the playoff race. They have lost 11 of their last 16 overall.

The Suns are coming off a one-sided loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday in Cleveland, while the Warriors are coming off a one-sided victory over the rival Clippers on Sunday at Oracle.

OPENING LINE

Warriors by 5.5

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Klay Thompson vs. Eric Bledsoe -- With Dragic gone, Bledsoe is the undisputed leader of the Suns. If you slow him, you slow Phoenix. Curry could draw the assignment, but with fellow guard Brandon Knight struggling with his shot, Thompson is the more logical option on the most dangerous guard.

Draymond Green vs. Markieff Morris -- It's two of the league's toughest characters, with Green facing a four-inch height disadvantage. That never seems to bother Green, who actually seems to relish such foes. Morris pounds the paint on offense, but Green is the better rebounder.

KEYS TO VICTORY

1) Run the O -- The Suns are mediocre on defense, bottom-10 defending 3-pointers. If the Dubs stay on script, they'll get open looks. They're shooting 42.6 percent from deep since the All-Star break.

2) Beat their bench -- The Warriors have a solid bench and they'll need it to contain Gerald Green and Marcus Morris, two of the league's more explosive reserves.

3) Own the glass -- The Warriors are the better rebounders but have been inconsistent. An off night, giving the Suns second-chance points, would be costly.

LAST 10

Warriors 7-3, Suns 4-6.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: No injuries listed.

Suns: C Alex Len (right ankle sprain) on Monday morning was upgraded to probable.

ROSTER NOTE

C Ognjen Kuzmic and F James Michael McAdoo are on assignment with the D-League Santa Cruz Warriors.

SERIES HISTORY

The teams split their first two meetings this season, with each winning at home. The Warriors have lost the last three games at Phoenix but have won nine of the last 12 overall. The Warriors are 12-70 in Phoenix over the past 35 seasons.