Suns at Hawks
THE STORY:
The Atlanta Hawks will look to keep pace with the Southeast Division
leading Miami Heat and snap a two-game home losing streak on Monday when
they host the Phoenix Suns. The Hawks are neck-and-neck with the
Orlando Magic behind the Heat. In order to keep pace, the Hawks will
have to turn their four-game homestand around as they have dropped the
first two. Despite the consecutive losses, the Hawks own an 8-3
home-court record. The Suns on the other hand will be looking for their
second straight win. Phoenix, third in the Pacific Division with a 4-8
record on the road, has won five of its last 10 games.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), SportSouth (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE SUNS (9-14): Phoenix is coming off a 95-89 home victory
over the Charlotte Bobcats. Michael Redd led the Suns with 17 points.
Marcin Gartat contributed 12 points and added 12 rebounds. It was the
15th consecutive game that Gartat has recorded double-figure boards –
the longest active streak in the NBA. Steve Nash added 11 points and 10
assists. The Suns, leading 75-74 with just nine minutes left in the
game, went on a 9-0 run to secure the win. Robin Lopez collected all
nine points.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (16-8): Atlanta, which is 6-4
in its last 10 games, is coming off a 98-87 loss to the Philadelphia
76ers. Jeff Teague paced the Hawks with 21 points. Rookie Ivan Johnson
collected 14 points and 13 rebounds. After completing a 4-1 road trip,
the Hawks have lost their first two of a four-game homestand. They
previously lost 96-77 to Memphis. The Hawks were outscored 54-38 in the
paint against the 76ers and have given up 112 points in the paint in
their recent two home losses.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Suns had only eight turnovers against the Bobcats.
2.
The Hawks’ Josh Smith made only 2-of-11 shots and had nine points
against Philadelphia. It was his third single-digit game in his last
four and he is 13 for 37 from the field in the four-game span.