(AP) -- A brutal four-game stretch has Phoenix on the outside of the playoff picture, and a road-heavy slate over the final five weeks makes it imperative that the Suns take advantage of their few remaining home dates.

Having Eric Bledsoe back for the first one could provide a major boost.

Bledsoe is expected to play for the first time in 2014 on Wednesday night when the Suns host a fading Cleveland Cavaliers team that's beginning its own daunting stretch.