Atlanta Hawks at Phoenix Suns
Time: 8 PM, Mar 2, 2014
Spread: PHO -8
Total: 217
Betting odds courtesy of 5dimes
The Atlanta Hawks are 26-31 and cling to the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference, but it has lost nine of its past 10 games and holds just a four game lead over both Cleveland and Detroit. The Hawks are just 9-20 on the road and will be 8-point underdogs on the road against Phoenix, according to NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes.
The Hawks managed just two wins in the month of February, on the 1st against Minnesota and on the 22nd against New York. Atlanta lost 115-104 to Boston on Wednesday night despite 26 points from Jeff Teague. DeMarre Carroll also contributed 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting. The Hawks have a point differential of +0.3, but a lot of it is just playing in the weak Eastern Conference.
Al Horford is out for the season and Paul Millsap has missed the past three contests and is doubtful for today’s game. The fact that the Hawks are a playoff team is more a commentary on the sad state of the East than any reckoning of force that the Hawks have. Teague is averaging 16.1 points per game but no other Hawk is over 12 per game and the roster is replete with D-league talent.
Phoenix is 34-24 on the season and as been a pleasant surprise by all accounts. The Suns have been without Eric Bledsoe, though he should be back in a couple weeks as the team gears up for a playoff run. Bledsoe was averaging 18 points and 5.8 assists per game prior to injury.
Goran Dragic has stepped up in his stead, averaging 20.6 points and 6.1 assists per game on the season. Dragic has posted 23.2 points and 7.0 assists per game over his past 10 contests. At 27 years of age, the Suns are about to have Dragic in his prime, and combining him with the collection of young talent and draft picks sets the Suns up favorably for the foreseeable future.
ATL Trends: 0-4 ATS in last 4 Sunday games; OVER 4-0 in lat 4 following ATS loss; 0-5-1 ATS in last 6 road games.
PHO Trends: 7-1 ATS in last 8 games vs teams with losing SU records; 6-1 ATS in last 7 Sunday games; OVER 5-1 in last 6 vs teams with losing SU records.
Head-to-head: Hawks 2-7 ATS in last 9 meetings; OVER 7-3 in last 10 meetings in Phoenix.
