The Atlanta Hawks are once again in need of bouncing back after a struggling performance against the Denver Nuggets. The team certainly did not look the part of the Eastern Conference leaders as their starters were outscored by the Nuggets bench. Getting their road trip off to a blowout loss was certainly not what the Hawks intended to do and now they face the Phoenix Suns looking to give them to losses in a row.
Atlanta needs to put their foot on the gas after losing two of their last three games. Atlanta might have a dougle-digit lead in the East, but the Cleveland Cavaliers are mounting a comeback and the Hawks cannot afford to get comfortable. In the midst of a six-game road trip, the Hawks are not looking the part of playoff contender and need to get back on track as they face this Suns Friday.
The Nuggets game was ugly. Kyle Korver stood out with 18 points while hitting 5 of 7 shots from the 3-point line, but he was the only one contributing. The rest of the team shot 4 of 20 from beyond the arc while Atlanta trailed by at least 34 at one point before the bench made a 30-9 run getting the loss at least a little closer.
The Phoenix Suns are hoping to be the next team to play upset and they have the fire power to do so. TJ Warren is coming off a strong game against Minnesota with 17 points while shooting 8 of 10 from the floor. Markieff Morris added 24 points while Eric Bledsoe had 18. As a team they shot 50.0 percent, having momentum to face the Hawks. Brandon Knight may or may not be available for the Sun. He sat out the game against Minnesota with a sprained ankle making him uncertain for this game.
Phoenix is 2-4 in their last six home games, but the Hawks cannot come out flat again. Korver was critical of his team's effort in the loss to Denver and hopes they have a different attitude this time around.
"We didn't come out with the right level of intensity and desperation that we needed to," said Korver, via ESPN.com. "We talked about coming here and starting a really good road trip ... (but) they just smacked us."
