JUST IN: Hawks versus. Suns: Prospective Starting Lineups, Injury Report, and Game Preview

The Hawks play the Phoenix Suns tonight to extend their homestand after two straight victories. One of the favorites to win the NBA Championship going into the season, Phoenix has begun to play as many predicted following a poor, injury-plagued start.

Phoenix’s offense has appeared unstoppable as they have won nine of their last eleven games. Leading the way for Phoenix are Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Grayson Allen, all of whom are enjoying fantastic seasons.

The Hawks have emerged victorious from their last two games, but they have done so against clubs lacking players. On Sunday, the Raptors were without Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poetl. The Lakers were playing on the second night of a back-to-back, while the Hawks were playing without Anthony Davis. Although winning is always nice, Atlanta will have to contend with a club that is healthy and playing some of its best basketball tonight.

Who will win the game tonight, then? Let’s have a look at it. PREVIEW OF THE GAME Given the strength of both attacks, this game could end up being quite scoring.

Based on point-per-game, field goal %, three-point attempts, three-point percentage, free throw attempts, rebounding, and turnovers, the Hawks rank third in the NBA going into this game. In terms of points per 100 possessions, the Hawks are 12th, effective field goal % is 20th, turnover percentage is 15th, offensive rebounding percentage is third, and free throw rate is seventh, according to Cleaning the Glass.

Trae Young has been one of the top guards and players in the NBA, even if he was not selected for the All-Star Game. He is ranking 10th in the NBA in points scored and 2nd in rebounds, and he might have a big game against the Suns. The Suns’ weakest point is their perimeter defense, which Young and Dejounte Murray can exploit. Murray is having his best scoring season to date, averaging 21 points per game.\

With an impressive breakout season for the Hawks, averaging 15.6 PPG and 8.3 RPG, is Jalen Johnson. It’s possible that Johnson will be asked to cover Durant tonight as well.

The Suns’ defense is below average, but it’s hardly in the worst half of the NBA. Phoenix is ranked 17th in three-point attempts allowed, 18th in three-point percentage allowed, 10th in field goal percentage allowed, and 15th in points per game allowed. Phoenix is ranked 15th in terms of points permitted per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass.

The Suns’ inability to have a top-tier perimeter defender will be a challenge for the Hawks. The Hawks don’t either, which is the issue.

In the NBA, Atlanta’s defense is arguably the weakest. They rank 19th in three-point attempts allowed, 28th in three-point % allowed, 29th in PPG allowed, and 28th in field goal percentage allowed. Atlanta ranks 29th in terms of effective field goal percentage allowed and 26th in terms of points allowed per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass. That will provide a challenge when facing top offensive players like Durant and Booker.

Durant is enjoying a fantastic season. He is shooting 53% from the field and 44% from three, averaging over 28 points per game, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.

Right up there with him is Booker. In addition, he is averaging 4.9 RPG, 7.3 APG, and 28 PPG. One week after the Hawks let Luka Doncic score 73 points, Booker scored 62 points against the Pacers. Booker or Durant might take advantage of their defense.

Grayson Allen has been an underappreciated member of the Suns offensive line. With Bradley Beal, Booker, and Durant receiving all of the offensive attention, Allen takes advantage of the matchups and is hitting almost 50% from three.

In terms of points per game, the Suns rank 12th, fourth in field goal %, twenty-fourth in three-point attempts, seventh in three-point percentage, fourth in free throw attempts, seventeenth in rebounds, and twenty-fourth in turnovers. Phoenix ranks eighth for points per 100 possessions, seventh for effective field goal %, twenty-five for turnover percentage, eighth for offensive rebounding percentage, and second for free throw rate, according to Cleaning the Glass.

The Hawks will face difficulty in this matchup. Finding people that make sense for Young and Saddiq Bey to guard will be difficult. To slow down the Suns, Quin Snyder will need to have a solid defensive strategy.

INDICATES OF INJURIES
Due to his right knee injury, De’Andre Hunter’s availability for tonight’s game is expected to be in doubt. Hunter might miss at least one of the Hawks’ two upcoming games against the Warriors and the Warriors.

Both Vit Krejci and Mouhamed Gueye (right low back stress fracture) are out for Atlanta. (left shoulder subluxation).