Preview: The 37-39 Suns lost five of six entering Tuesday's game at Chicago, but Steve Nash returned against the Bulls after missing two games because of the flu. The Suns will miss the playoffs for only the second time in seven years since Nash returned to Phoenix. ... The two teams, oddly, have met only once so far this season: The Suns won 128-122 in Phoenix on Dec. 15. They play only three times total and complete the series Monday in Phoenix.

Players to watch: Suns forward Grant Hill is on pace to become the seventh player to NBA history to average at least 13 points a game at age 38 or older. The others: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, Robert Parrish and John Stockton. Hill took a 13.1-point average into Tuesday's game. ... Nash leads the league in assists with a 11.4 average and is aimed at leading the NBA in that category for the fifth time in the past seven seasons.

Injuries: F Kevin Love (groin) and C Darko Milicic (sprained ankle) did not travel with the Wolves to New Jersey for Tuesday's game and are doubtful. Suns F Gani Lawal (torn ACL) and Mickael Pietrus (strained quad tendon) are out.

JERRY ZGODA