Atlanta bounced back from its disappointing loss to Detroit with an emphatic 32-point rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. The Hawks will look to make it back-to-back wins later tonight when they take on the Phoenix Suns who kept alive their slim playoff hopes with a narrow victory over the Utah Jazz.
Read on below for a preview of this pivotal showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans here.
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Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta
When: Tuesday, April 7, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Phoenix Suns (+9) at Atlanta Hawks (-9); total: 204.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix had its five-game losing streak snapped on Saturday night with a thrilling 87-85 victory over the Utah Jazz. With the win, the Suns moved to within three games of the New Orleans Pelicans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Gerald Green provided the spark for the Suns, scoring 24 points off the bench. He was red-hot from the field, shooting 10-of-17 including three 3-pointers. In fact, the entire Phoenix bench outscored Utah’s bench, 34-16. Green has been integral to Phoenix in that regard, scoring a total of 746 points (11.5 PPG) off the bench this season, fourth in the NBA.
The Suns will need that same kind of production from Green and their entire bench when they take on the Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta Hawks. The Suns will fancy their chances, however, of scoring an upset at Philips Arena because of their offensive firepower. Phoenix is eighth in the NBA in scoring this season, averaging 103.3 PPG.
Expected to lead the Suns’ charge is Eric Bledsoe. The 25-year-old has been a vital cog to the Suns’ success this season, leading the team in points (17.2 PPG), assists (6.0 APG) and steals (1.64 SPG). He scored 21 points and dished out six assists in Phoenix’s 96-87 loss to Atlanta on March 13. He will need to do a much better job of protecting the basketball tonight, though, as he committed seven miscues in that defeat.
The Suns are 4-6 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 road games.
The Atlanta Hawks returned to winning ways on Saturday with a resounding 131-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets. It was a huge bounce-back victory for the Hawks who matched their franchise record with their 57th win of the season.
It was a brilliant all-around performance for the Hawks with seven of their players scoring in double-figures. Leading the way for Atlanta were DeMarre Carroll and Al Horford who chipped in 20 points apiece. It was their terrific ball movement, however, which spelled the difference in the game.
They dished out a whopping 40 assists against the Nets. They are second in the league in that department, averaging 25.8 dimes per game. Brooklyn also had a hard time keeping up with Atlanta’s shooters as the Hawks torched them with 17-of-33 shooting from beyond the arc.
Outside shooting and excellent player movement have been the crucial ingredients behind Atlanta’s success this season. The Hawks will need more of that later tonight against the Suns, especially with the news that Paul Millsap will be out for the next two games because of a shoulder injury.
Millsap has been the Hawks’ main frontcourt player this season, averaging a team-best 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. With Millsap out, the onus is on Horford and Carroll to hold the fort inside the shaded lane. They combined for 23 points and 12 rebounds in their nine-point win against the Suns last month.
The Hawks are 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 home games.
