Suns look to knock playoff-bound Hawks down a peg

By foxsports
Published

After their momentum was halted by back-to-back losses to the Eastern Conference's top teams, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to regroup in what appears to be a less-challenging matchup.

However, nothing came easy when they last faced the struggling Phoenix Suns.

Archie Goodwin scored 24 points and made a 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left to give the Suns a 98-95 victory over the Hawks when they met in Phoenix on Jan. 23.

The Hawks (45-32) will be looking to even matters as they host the rematch on Tuesday night in Atlanta. The game can be seen on FOX Sports Arizona and FOX Sports GO, starting at 4:30 p.m.

The Suns (20-57) held a 52-43 rebounding advantage in the first meeting. Tyson Chandler pulled down a franchise record-tying 27 boards, while Alex Len had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Chandler had 21 points and 18 boards in Phoenix's sixth consecutive defeat Sunday, 101-86 to visiting Utah. He's averaged 15 points and 15.3 rebounds in posting three consecutive double-doubles and has averaged 23 boards in his last three against Atlanta.

"It's about going out there and getting better," Chandler said.

Mirza Teletovic has provided a spark for the banged-up Suns by averaging 18.8 points in his last six games. Brandon Knight has been ruled out for the season due to a sports hernia, while Jon Leuer is likely to miss his third straight due to a right ankle sprain.

"I can't live with myself putting our players at risk for further injury just to secure a job," interim coach Earl Watson said.

The Hawks (45-32) are tied with Boston for the third seed in the Eastern Conference after losing their last two games to second-seeded Toronto on Wednesday and top-seeded Cleveland on Friday.

Kent Bazemore suffered a left wrist injury in Friday's 110-108 overtime loss to the Cavaliers but said he expects to play against Phoenix.

A win in Tuesday's game is important for the Hawks, because the next three teams on their schedule are Toronto, Boston and Cleveland.

Finishing third could be crucial since the Hawks wouldn't have to face a Cavaliers team that has beaten them six straight times until a potential conference finals rematch.

In addition to trying to climb ahead of Boston, the Hawks are trying to hold off Miami and Charlotte for first place in the Southeast Division. The Heat and Hornets are both a half-game back.