The Hawks will be looking to surprise and win at Phoenix's home floor. Atlanta is currently 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-38 record. It doesn't look like much will change until the end of the regular season, as ahead of them they have the Chicago Bulls in 9th place with a 34-35 record, and below them the Brooklyn Nets, 11th and virtually out of the playoffs with 26-43.
The Suns, on the other hand, do need a win. Phoenix ranks 8th in the Western Conference with a 40-29 record, right behind Dallas Mavericks (7th with the same record), and ahead of Los Angeles Lakers, 9th with 37-32. Phoenix's goal is direct playoff access, and it's really not far away, as right now Sacramento Kings marks the limit with their 6th position and a 40-28 record.
Expert predictions (starting lineups and winner)
The main predictions for tonight's game place the Phoenix Suns as the heavy favorite to win. Despite playing their second night of back-to-back, Phoenix is in a much better position than the injury-plagued Atlanta Hawks.
The game will be played tonight at 10:30 pm ET, and can be followed on the NBA's official website and app with a League Pass subscription.
Injuries
Suns: Damion Lee (knee) and Josh Okogie (hip), ruled out.
Hawks: Trae Young (finger), Kobe Bufkin (toe), Mouhamed Gueye (ACL), Jalen Johnson (ankle) and AJ Griffin (leg-ankle), ruled out. Wesley Matthews (illness), questionable). Saddiq Bey (knee), out for the season.