Suns, bound for play-in tournament, take on Cooper Flagg, Mavs

(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

The Phoenix Suns spent the first 79 games of the NBA season in a vain attempt to lock up a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Their task now is to hang on to postseason spot No. 7.

The Suns (43-36) blew a 21-point lead and were crushed 55-34 on the boards in a 119-105 home loss to Houston on Tuesday in an outcome that dropped them into a play-