Suns vs. Hawks NBA Preview and Best Bet (Archive)
The red-hot Phoenix Suns head to Atlanta to take on the Hawks. Phoenix brings their 11-game win streak to Atlanta. The Hawks have been playing better as of late, but Phoenix is the NBA’s best road team this year. In a battle of two teams that are playing very well right now, which team is the right NBA pick?
Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks
Thursday, February 03, 2022 – 07:30 PM EST at State Farm Arena
Phoenix Suns
There's no argument that the Phoenix Suns are currently playing the best basketball in the NBA. They have won 11 games in a row. They have the most impressive road record in the league at 19-4. Phoenix is 3rd in the league in points scored at 113 per game. They are 7th in the league in points against at 105.1 points per game. They are 1st in the league in field-goal percentage at 47.8%. Overall this is an efficient offensive team that plays some of the best defense in the NBA. The Suns have a point differential of +7.9 on the year.
At age 36, Chris Paul is showing no signs of slowing down. In his 16th season in the NBA, Chris Paul is 1st in the NBA in assists per game. He is averaging 10.4 assists per game. Paul has the highest number of assists this season at 521, which is 86 higher than the next highest total. When you combine that with the excellent defense and veteran leadership Paul provides on the floor, this season is truly one of Chris Paul's greatest accomplishments in his career.
Suns shooting guard Devin Booker has also greatly benefited from Paul's presence. Paul gives the team the leadership it needs by setting the pace, but Devin Booker is still the go-to guy when the team needs a bucket. Booker is first on the team in points per game at 25.4. He had 35 points in the Suns' home win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. Over the last five games, Devin Booker is averaging 33.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Mikal Bridges is another key piece to this Suns winning formula. Bridges had 27 points on a highly efficient 10 of 14 shooting night against the Nets. The win moved Phoenix to 41-9 on the year, which is the best record they've had through 50 games in the history of the franchise.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks had won 7 games in a row before they fell 106-100 to the Toronto Raptors on Monday night at home. The Hawks are in the middle of a homestand and have been home since January 24th. They are taking advantage of the ability to recharge at home and have been playing better as of late. Atlanta is 7-3 in their last 10 which has moved them to 24-26 on the year. The Hawks are back in striking distance for a solid playoff position.
Trae Young missed the game against the Raptors. The Hawks desperately missed his scoring. They were not able to provide the points they needed at the end to keep up with the Raptors in the half-court setting with the game on the line. The Hawks hope that Trae Young will return to the game tonight.
The recent play of the Hawks' second-year player Onyeka Okongwu has been a boost to Atlanta. In the win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Okongwu finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and added a steal. He is ridiculously efficient on the offensive end. Okongwu is one of only three players this season to average more than 9 points per game while shooting over 70% from the field. The development of Okongwu has made a deep Hawks team even deeper.
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Key Matchup
Clint Capela vs. Deandre Ayton. Hawks center Clint Capela is an excellent rim protector. The Suns hope to use Deandre Ayton to get points down low as well as bring Capela out of the paint. With Capela roaming the perimeter, the Suns will be able to drive the ball more effectively.
If Ayton is able to show Capela that he needs to be respected from the mid-range, he has a good chance to bring him out of the paint and open up the offense for the rest of the Phoenix Suns. If Ayton is inaccurate and passive from the outside, Capela can sit down low and prevent the rest of the Phoenix team from getting easy baskets in the paint.
If Ayton is able to have a big night on the offensive and bring Capela out of the paint consistently, the Suns will get their 12th straight win. If Capela shuts down Deandre Ayton and makes life tough on the Suns, the Hawks can get back on the winning track tonight.
Best Bet
The Suns are 15-8 against the spread on the road. They have a point differential of +7.4 on the road. This comes into play when laying the 5.5 points of NBA odds. The Suns are currently playing the best basketball in the NBA. I believe they get the win and cover the NBA odds.
Don’t bet against this Phoenix team right now! Today’s Play of the Day is the Phoenix Suns -5.5 at one of our best sportsbooks.
NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns -5.5 (-110) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.