Suns' Nash has abdominal issue that may sideline him

Suns guard Steve Nash is "very optimistic" that he will be able to play tonight's game at Houston despite a lower abdominal strain but his coach is remaining cautiously pessimistic.

Suns coach Alvin Gentry put Nash's chances of playing at "50-50" for this evening's 5 p.m. game at Toyota Center. Nash was held out of Friday's and Saturday's practices in Phoenix but he participated in this morning's team shootaround and Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said his condition had improved today.

Nash's ability to move well and pain-free is always paramount but perhaps even more so tonight against a point guard as quick as Houston's Aaron Brooks. Gentry said he is willing to use unconventional playing time patterns to help Nash through the game, if he needs to stay in the game longer to remain warmed up.

If Nash is unable to play, the Suns are in a bind because Leandro Barbosa out because of wrist surgery. Goran Dragic's backup point guard would then become small forward Grant Hill, who did run point during September voluntary workout games before Dragic and Barbosa arrived.

Dragic played a career-high 32 minutes Monday night at Utah but said he became fatigued later in the game because he was not used to playing that much.