NBA trending: Earl Watson takes over Phoenix Suns

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Earl Watson takes over Phoenix Suns

A slow start and a season-ending knee injury to guard Eric Bledsoe contributed to the firing of Jeff Hornacek as coach of the Phoenix Suns. Former UCLA guard Earl Watson replaced Hornacek on an interim basis.

Through Friday, the Suns were 14-37. The team is shorthanded because of injuries to guard Brandon Knight (groin), forward T.J. Warren (broken foot) and guard Ronnie Price (toe), and is relying on inexperienced players. Rookie guard Devin Booker has made 41.7% of his three-point shots, earning an invitation to next week’s three-point shootout at the NBA’s All-Star weekend. Archie Goodwin is a 21-year-old scorer, learning to play point guard on the fly.

Dwight Howard is suspended

Houston center Dwight Howard was suspended by the NBA on Tuesday after an incident Saturday in the Rockets’ loss to Washington. After getting into a shoving match with Wizards forward-center Nene, Howard intentionally struck the outstretched arm of official Mitchell Ervin.

The Rockets, who won 56 games last season, were 27-25 through Friday and among the top eight teams in the Western Conference. Kevin McHale was fired as coach and replaced in the interim by J.B. Bickerstaff. With the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaching, the Rockets have to decide whether they want to part with or re-sign Howard, 30, who could opt out of the final year of his contract.

Russell Westbrook is in All-Star form

Guard Russell Westbrook and Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kevin Durant will be starters at the All-Star game.

Through Friday, Westbrook was averaging 24 points per game, was second in the NBA at 10 assists per game and was first among guards at 7.6 rebounds per game. Westbrook has eight triple-doubles, second to Golden State forward Draymond Green, who has 10.

The New York Knicks are fading

The New York Knicks (23-30) are drifting out of contention for a playoff berth in the East, losing four games in a row. All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony is dealing with soreness in the same knee that ended his last season early. A recent MRI exam showed no structural damage but Anthony sat out the Knicks’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. The Knicks have dropped eight of their last 10 games.

Derrick Favors returns to Utah Jazz

After sitting out a month because of a back injury, Utah Jazz forward-center Derrick Favors is healthy. The Jazz had won five consecutive games through Friday, threatening the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers and Rockets in the standings. Utah survived losing center Rudy Gobert to a knee injury. Guard Alec Burks would give the Jazz a boost when he returns this month from a broken ankle.

Race to the bottom

Sixteen teams will be in the playoffs but only three will win in the draft lottery in May. The worst regular-season teams are the favorites. Through Friday, the Philadelphia 76ers had seven victories, followed by the Lakers (11), Brooklyn Nets (13), Suns (14) and Minnesota Timberwolves (15). The 76ers and Nets met Saturday and will play each other twice more. The Suns will play each the Lakers and Timberwolves twice. Minnesota will play the Nets in March.