In the past four weeks the Phoenix Suns have won almost as many games as they did in the season's first nine weeks.

Their 11-3 run since February 19th has distanced the memory of a once 12-19 record and 13th place standing in the Western Conference.

The Suns put those days in the rear-view mirror thanks to a home-heavy part of the schedule. With Sunday night's win against Houston, the Suns improved to 10-2 over a period in which they played 12 of 14 at US Airways Center. Protecting the home court allowed the Suns to move past four teams, jumping to 9th; and now sitting only a half game out of a playoff spot.

How much further the Suns keep climbing will largely depend on how well they do -- not at home, but on the road. The Suns are about to enter a stretch that will see them play 12 of their next 15 games outside Arizona.

"We've just got to go out there with a great attitude and spirit and try to win games," said Steve Nash. "We can't worry about the road or where we are. We're in a desperate position. We've fought back to where we've got a chance. We've got to approach every game like a playoff game."

At one point this season the Suns had more wins on the road than at home. Their road record now reads 8-12.

"I thought early on in the year we actually played a little better on the road," said Grant Hill, pointing to wins at Atlanta, Boston and New York.

"We started to sort of solve the problem at home," he continued. "We beat some good teams---teams that are ahead of us, teams that are in the playoff hunt, so we are playing with confidence and we just sort of have a good feel, good flow, a good rhythm offensively. Our defense is pretty solid [too]."

The Suns will see three of the top five Eastern Conference teams on this four-game trip that begins Tuesday in Miami.

"We're starting off with two tough games: Miami and Orlando (back-to-back)," said Jared Dudley. "Let's get a win early. Let's try and go shock Miami first game."

The Heat have gone two months without a loss at home. They've won 13 in a row since losing to the Milwaukee Bucks on January 22.