Hawks at Kings
THE STORY: After three games of solid offensive production, the Atlanta Hawks have fallen back into the funk that led to a 4-9 record in February. The Hawks, who averaged 85.3 points last month, have put up 85.5 in dropping back-to-back road games at Miami and Detroit. They should have an opportunity to break out Sunday against the Sacramento Kings, who rank last in the NBA in scoring defense. The Kings prefer to outscore the competition, and have opened a nine-game homestand with two straight wins. That matches their win total from the previous 12 contests.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, SSO (Atlanta), CSCA (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (23-17): Atlanta began the month with three straight wins, putting up 99.0 points in the process. Two of those victories came against playoff contenders Oklahoma City and Indiana, giving a glimpse of what the Hawks can do when the offense and defense click at the same time. But after squandering a lead in an 89-86 loss at the Heat on Wednesday, Atlanta scored just 12 third-quarter points in an 86-85 loss to the lowly Pistons. The Hawks have been led recently by Josh Smith, who is putting up 25.0 points in March as trade rumors swirl.
ABOUT THE KINGS (14-26): Sacramento allows a NBA-high 102.5 points, but has accomplished something in the past two games that had happened only once before this season. The Kings not only have earned back-to-back wins, but they held both opponents below 100 points in the process. The most impressive victory came on Friday, when Sacramento took down defending champion Dallas 110-97. Seven players reached double figures in scoring against the Mavericks. Rookie Isaiah Thomas has been strong in the two wins, totaling 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Hawks have averaged 110.9 points while winning seven straight in the series.
2. Smith has put up 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in 14 career games against Sacramento.
3. Kings F J.J. Hickson (back) has missed the last five games and is day-to-day.