Phoenix Suns vs Atlanta Hawks Pregame Analysis and other Reports

 Suns vs. Hawks: Pregame Analysis, Injury Report, and Predicted Starting Lineups

The Phoenix Suns, who are coming off a victory against the 76ers last night, will be the opponents with whom the Atlanta Hawks close off their five-game West Coast trip after two days off. With the exception of a surprising victory over the Clippers on Sunday, Atlanta's road trip has been unforgettable. They defeated the Clippers, lost to Portland and Utah, then were humiliated by the Lakers on Monday. Although this seems like a total mismatch on paper, Phoenix is playing two nights in a row, so there's always a potential that some of their players won't be available tonight. Make sure you monitor the injury report that will be released later today. 

Pregame Analysis:

The Hawks defeated the Lakers 129-120 on the start of February, setting up this year's 2nd assembly among the 2 clubs. Which gamers are available for the Hawks tonight fluctuate from those that performed that night time. 

Unfortunately, this night's game will no longer function 3 of the Hawks' 5 starters from the first recreation. Saddiq Bey is out for the season along side Jalen Johnson and Trae Young due to injuries. With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal on the opposite aspect, the Hawks are critically disadvantaged.

Atlanta will probably need a strong performance from Dejounte Murray in order to have a chance. Murray needed numerous shot attempts to reach his scoring totals of 40 points against the Blazers and 33 points against the Jazz. Murray might have a night like that tonight against the Suns. 

Although Bogdan Bogdanovic had an tremendous night time in opposition to the Clippers, his universal play over the last two weeks has been subpar. Bogdanovic is the Hawks' 2nd-exceptional offensive choice, so he's going to want to step up and have a strong taking pictures night time with the alternative gamers out. 

Tonight, Atlanta's  beginning forwards will be the huge unknown. Since Bey's injury, Vit Krejci has been the starting point, and on maximum nights, he isn't always required to do lots at the offensive cease of the court. In addition to his solid three-factor shooting, Krejci is a succesful defender. Despite his poor output, he continually reveals methods to make a contribution.

Johnson was replaced at the start of the game by Wesley Matthews due to an ankle injury, but Matthews' health is doubtful tonight. Although Wesley has been shooting effectively from three point range lately, I believe Garrison Matthews will start in Wesley's place if he is unable to go. Although he has limitations on defense, Garrison is among the Hawks' top catch-and-shoot three-point shooters.

Six games in a row, Clint Capela has recorded a double-double, and the Suns are not a very strong defensive rebounding squad. In order to deny the Hawks a second chance tonight, Atlanta will most likely need to get a strong performance from both Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. In his first game back after more than a month, Okongwu played 20 minutes on Monday against the Lakers. Check his minutes carefully this evening.

 Despite having been among the NBA's greatest bench players for the past month, De'Andre Hunter is coming off a 4–14 shooting night against the Lakers. Hunter will probably guard Kevin Durant for a portion of the game and is perhaps Atlanta's second or third best offensive option tonight.

Atlanta is ranked fifth in points per game, first in offensive rebounding, thirteenth in turnovers, seventh in three-point attempts, eighteenth in three-point percentage, and fifth in free throw attempts heading into this matchup. In terms of points per 100 possessions, the Hawks are ninth, effective field goal % is 19th, turnover percentage is ninth, offensive rebounding percentage is fifth, and free throw rate is ninth, according to Cleaning the Glass. 

The Suns aren't very strong on defense, however it is going to be interesting to see if the Hawks can healthy Phoenix's scoring output. In phrases of area purpose %, Phoenix is ranked 7th, its 3-point percentage is ranked 17th, and its PPG allowed is sixteenth. As to Cleaning the Glass, the Suns rank ninth in phrases of powerful subject aim % allowed and fourteenth in terms of factors allowed in keeping with one hundred possessions.

This Suns squad's strength is its offensive line. Aside from Grayson Allen, who has been among the NBA's top shooters this season, Durant, Booker, and Beal can all have tremendous scoring nights. Even for them, Atlanta's recent defensive outing was among their worst of the season, and Phoenix's offensive capabilities are superior than the Lakers'. 

With respect to points scored per game, the Suns rank 11th, fifth in field goal %, 26th in three-point attempts, 9th in three-point percentage, fourth in free throw attempts, 19th in offensive rebounds, and 25th in turnovers going into this contest. In terms of points per 100 possessions, effective field goal %, turnover percentage, offensive rebounding percentage, and free throw rate, the Suns rank eighth, seventh, twenty-fourth, and first, respectively, according to Cleaning the Glass.

It's nonetheless real that the Hawks have one of the weakest defenses within the NBA this season. Atlanta's area aim %, 3-point percentage, and points in step with sport allowed rank them twenty ninth, twenty eighth, and twenty eighth, respectively. The Hawks are twentieth in phrases of powerful field intention % allowed and 27th in terms of points allowed consistent with a hundred possessions, consistent with Cleaning the Glass.

Injury Report:

While Saddiq Bey (left knee torn ACL), Kobe Bufkin (left big toe strain), AJ Griffin (right ankle sprain), Mouhamed Gueye (right UCL sprain), Jalen Johnson (right ankle injury), and Trae Young (left fifth finger torn ligament) are all out, Wesley Matthews's status is doubtful.

Due to their back-to-back schedule, keep a look out for the Suns' injury report, which is expected this afternoon. 

→Information for Watching and Betting

10:30 p.m. Eastern Time is the tip-off time.


Location: Phoenix, AZ's Footprint Center

Where to Watch: NBA TV, Bally Sports Southeast, and NBA League Pass

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks are now 9.5 points behind the odds at the SI Sportsbook, and the over/under is 226.5. As a result, they will be the underdogs on the road tonight. 

Predicted Starting Lineups:

Suns⇒F- Kevin Durant,F- Grayson Allen,G- Devin Booker,C-Jusuf Nurkic,G- Bradley Beal

Hawks⇒C- Clint Capela,F- Wesley Matthews,F- Vit Krejci,G- Dejounte Murray,G- Bogdan Bogdanovic