Watch Suns vs Cklippers at 10:30 PM ET, October 28, 2009 STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA. After missing the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, the Phoenix Suns are prepared to run their way back to the postseason in 2009-10.

The determined Suns look to open the season Wednesday night with a fifth straight victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, who are trying to get by without injured No. 1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin.

Poised to bounce back after a first-round playoff exit the previous season, Phoenix took a step back in 2008-09. New coach Terry Porter, who tried to transform the fast-paced Suns into more of a halfcourt, defensive-minded team, was fired with the Suns 28-23 and averaging 104.4 points per game at the All-Star break.

Assistant coach Alvin Gentry took over and sped up the tempo as Phoenix went 18-13 while averaging 117.4 down the stretch. The Suns, though, were already in a hole and then hit hard by a season-ending eye injury to star forward Amare Stoudemire (21.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg) in February. Despite finishing 46-36, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004.