NBA Game Preview - Phoenix at Atlanta
Tue Mar 28, 2017 7:30 PM EDT

MIL
118
CHA
108
F
MIN
115
IND
114
F
PHI
106
BKN
101
F
MIA
97
DET
96
F
PHO
91
ATL
95
F
GS
113
HOU
106
F
DEN
113
POR
122
F
WAS
119
LAL
108
F
Suns-Hawks Preview
Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:16 PM

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks picked a rotten time to lose seven straight games.

They have seen hopes for a home playoff series vanish and watched the line to simply make the playoffs get closer and closer.

Also, All-Star forward Paul Millsap continues to experience issues with his left knee.

But the Atlanta players are undaunted by the losing streak and will try to end it Tuesday when the Hawks (37-36) host the Phoenix Suns (22-52), who have lost eight in a row.

"Sometimes things don't go your way, stuff like this happens," veteran Atlanta point guard Jose Calderon said. "You dribble the ball off your foot and they go the other way. You have some bad turnovers. You can't make shots. We have to work harder."

Atlanta's problems have been exacerbated by the two-week absences of Millsap (out five games with left knee tightness) and guard Kent Bazemore (out four games with a bruised right knee). The situation got worse on Sunday when guard Thabo Sefolosha was a late scratch because of a right groin strain.

The Hawks announced on Tuesday night that Millsap saw Dr. James Andrews on Monday, was diagnosed with synovitis and underwent a non-surgical procedure. He will miss three more games before being re-evaluated then. Millsap is the team's leading scorer and was an NBA All-Star.

But with Atlanta's season down to nine games, the players say there is little reason to make excuses.

"At this point, it doesn't matter who's out on the floor," Atlanta center Dwight Howard said. "The guys who step on the floor have to get the job done."

In a 107-92 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, Atlanta rookie Taurean Prince got his first career start. He responded with 17 points and six rebounds in 38 minutes. He has scored in double figures in four of the last eight games and become reliable piece for coach Mike Budenholzer.

"Taurean has been playing great," Howard said. "He is going to help us in the playoffs. He has to continue to play like that. Everybody has to play big."

The Suns are coming off a 120-106 loss to Charlotte on Sunday. Devin Booker followed up his 70-point performance from Saturday against Boston with 23 points. Booker became the youngest player to score 70, which was a team record.

Booker understands that he will be focus of the opposition's defense for the rest of the season, including Tuesday in Atlanta.

"I expect it to be hard from here on out and we're all going to learn from this as a young group," Booker said. "At the end of the day, I think it's going to be good for us."

The Suns defeated the Hawks in their first meeting on Nov. 30 behind Brandon Knight's 23 points. Knight is out for the season with a back injury.

Phoenix has won 11 of its last 17 games in Atlanta, although it has dropped the last two and three of the previous four. The two teams have split their last eight games and the Suns have won 12 of their last 18 overall against the Hawks.

After facing the Suns, Atlanta will play Wednesday at Philadelphia. Phoenix returns home on Thursday to oppose the Los Angeles Clippers.

Team Record Comparison

Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Phoenix  
Atlanta  

Hot Players (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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