The Atlanta Hawks return to action after a two-day break, concluding their challenging five-game West Coast trip with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns, who are coming off a victory against the 76ers last night. Despite a surprise win over the Clippers, Atlanta’s road journey has been forgettable, marked by losses to Portland and Utah, a win against the Clippers, and a blowout defeat by the Lakers.
On the surface, the Suns appear poised for dominance in this matchup, but the back-to-back scenario might introduce uncertainties regarding player availability for Phoenix. An upcoming injury report will shed light on potential absences. Let’s delve into the matchup between these two teams:
Game Insights
This encounter marks the second meeting this season between the Hawks and the Suns, with the Hawks emerging victorious in their prior matchup with a 129-120 scoreline in early February. However, the absence of three key starters―Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Saddiq Bey due to injuries, with Bey out for the season―poses a significant challenge for Atlanta against a formidable trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
Atlanta’s hopes likely hinge on a standout performance from Dejounte Murray, who has shown flashes of scoring prowess recently. Bogdan Bogdanovic will need to elevate his game, particularly in Bey’s absence, as the team’s secondary offensive option. The performance of the starting forwards, Vit Krejci and potentially Wesley Matthews or Garrison Matthews, will be critical in providing offensive support.
Clint Capela’s consistent double-double performances and the potential impact of Onyeka Okongwu in the paint present opportunities for Atlanta, given Phoenix’s vulnerability on the defensive glass. De’Andre Hunter, a key bench contributor, will be instrumental in providing offensive support and defensive versatility, likely tasked with defending Kevin Durant.
Team Statistics
- Atlanta Hawks: 5th in PPG, 23rd in field goal percentage, 7th in three-point attempts, 18th in three-point percentage, 5th in free throw attempts, 1st in offensive rebounding, and 13th in turnovers.
- Per Cleaning the Glass: 9th in points per 100 possessions, 19th in effective field goal percentage, 9th in turnover percentage, 5th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 9th in free throw rate.
- Phoenix Suns Defense: 16th in PPG allowed, 7th in field goal percentage allowed, and 17th in three-point percentage allowed.
- Per Cleaning the Glass: 14th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 9th in effective field goal percentage allowed.
While Phoenix’s defensive capabilities are not elite, Atlanta’s offensive depth and scoring options face a formidable test against the Suns’ firepower. The outcome of this matchup may hinge on Atlanta’s ability to counter Phoenix’s offensive prowess with a balanced attack and solid defensive efforts.
The Phoenix Suns boast an offensive powerhouse lineup with key players like Durant, Booker, and Beal, who are capable of delivering stellar scoring performances. Grayson Allen’s sharpshooting adds another dimension to their offensive arsenal. In contrast, the Atlanta Hawks have struggled defensively, ranking poorly in points allowed, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage defense.
The Suns’ offensive statistics paint a picture of their scoring prowess, ranking impressively in points per game, field goal percentage, three-point shooting efficiency, free throw attempts, and offensive rebounding. Their efficiency metrics, reflected in points per 100 possessions and effective field goal percentage, highlight their strength on offense despite turnover issues.
Conversely, the Hawks’ defensive struggles are evident in their poor rankings in various defensive categories, indicating vulnerabilities that the Suns’ potent offense could exploit. Atlanta’s deficiencies in points allowed per 100 possessions and effective field goal percentage allowed underline the challenges they face on defense.
Looking at the injury report, the Hawks are dealing with multiple absences, including key players like Trae Young, while the Suns may face lineup adjustments due to potential issues like Wesley Matthews’ illness and the back-to-back schedule. The matchup is set to take place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, with the Hawks positioned as significant underdogs with a 9.5-point spread and an over/under set at 226.5 points.
For the projected starting lineups, the Hawks are expected to field Bogdanovic, Murray, Krejci, possibly Wesley Matthews or Garrison Matthews if the former is unavailable, and Capela. On the other hand, the Suns project to start Booker, Beal, Durant, Allen, and Nurkic, although the possibility of player rest due to the back-to-back scenario remains.
As the game unfolds, the clash between the Suns’ potent offense and the Hawks’ struggling defense sets the stage for an intriguing matchup, with both teams seeking to capitalize on their strengths to secure a pivotal victory.
