Friday: Phoenix 24-15 (9-11 V) @ Atlanta 25-13 (15-4 H)

[HMFFL]

January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968



Favored to Win: Atlanta by 4.5 points

Over/Under: 217

Recent Meetings:

01/25/09 ATL 99 - PHO 104
01/13/09 PHO 107 - ATL 102
01/29/08 PHO 125 - ATL 92
11/07/07 ATL 105 - PHO 96
02/25/07 ATL 106 - PHO 115
02/09/07 PHO 111 - ATL 120
01/27/06 ATL 106 - PHO 110
12/04/05 PHO 112 - ATL 94
03/22/05 ATL 94 - PHO 105
11/03/04 PHO 112 - ATL 82

[SAUCERY_SWEET]

Haven't had a lot of success against this team at all. ESPN game so there is no reason to not come out with energy, shots will fall the way they like but we can control our backboards and defensive mindset. Especially against a team that likes to run and run in Phoenix. We either blow them out or they win a close one. IMO I think the Hawks 118-111.

[nvc]

with the cavs, boston and magic all losing their last game this is a really good opportunity to put us back in the mix. will zaza and mo be back for this one?

[BAMABIRD]

What a shot by Sundiata Gaines to knock off Cavs at the buzzer. A win against the Suns will be great.. Go Hawks!

[evildallas]

I don't have insight on whether either will be back Friday, but neither were out with an injury on Wednesday. Zaza was out with the flu and Mo was out for the birth of a child.

[HMFFL]

Mo is suppose to play, but I have no idea about ZaZa.

[SAUCERY_SWEET]

I would be pretty surprised if both weren't back. How did i contradict myself with that brilliant observation of: We either blow them out or they beat us in a close one and then I go on and predict us by 7.

[Hawkeyes]

I love watching Steve Nash play, but I will hate him tomorrow.

[MaceCase]

Should be a fun game, I hope we pull it out 120-112 or something. I wonder if Smoove can keep his head in the game hanging out with Frye on the 3point line all night and resist the urge to go help out for a block. Frye's money from downtown and we don't need to see him get open looks. Definitely want to take a closer look at Woody's "Steve Nash rule" also.

[ATL DirtyBird]

If Jon Barry or Doris Burke calls this game im putting it on mute. I want Gundy or Jackson or both, even though theyll prob take the late game(Magic @ Blazers). I hate the Nash matchup but I like all the other matchups. Bench play should be huge.

[killbuckner]

I think the Suns are a tough matchup for the Hawks. Obviously the Hawks don't have a PG on the roster who can guard Nash, Amare is a tough matchup for any Hawks and with Frye they can drag SMith outside the same way Orlando does.

[azuresou1]

I think the Suns are a tough matchup for the Hawks. Obviously the Hawks don't have a PG on the roster who can guard Nash, Amare is a tough matchup for any Hawks and with Frye they can drag SMith outside the same way Orlando does.

By the same token, however, Nash's defense is almost as bad as Bibby's, Al Horford is a tough matchup for the Suns frontcourt and their complete lack of defense, and Channing Frye isn't Dwight. Not to mention Nash has tons of turnovers, and the fast pace means we'll actually be using our strengths.

If Woody is smart we exploit Channing Frye all day with forays into the paint.

[evildallas]

^ I think the implication was that Channing Frye is like Rashard Lewis on offense. On defense you are right, we need to wear out their weak interior D by getting it into the paint and not settle for a jump shooting contest because we likely can't hang in one of those.

[azuresou1]

^ I think the implication was that Channing Frye is like Rashard Lewis on offense. On defense you are right, we need to wear out their weak interior D by getting it into the paint and not settle for a jump shooting contest because we likely can't hang in one of those.

I was aware, but a stretch 4 relies on an overpowering big man in the middle. Amare is several leagues above Dwight in terms of post moves and shooting, but the difference in brute strength is significant. Al can guard Amare. He can't guard Dwight.

[killbuckner]

on Offense Bibby is not capable of exploiting Nash- thats the problem with the matchup. Thats the issue for the Hawks.

And I don't think Horford is good enough in the post to consistently exploit either Amare or Frye. He just doesn't have the skill in the post.

Absolutely what the Hawks need to do is exploit poor wing defense from the Suns and take advantage over the fact that the Suns don't have a shotblocking presence. If Joe doesn't get to the line consistently in this game I think teh Hawks will lose.

[ATL DirtyBird]

^ Joe doesnt shoot free throws. I wanna see Teague get some PT early tonight.

[evildallas]

^ I think the implication was that Channing Frye is like Rashard Lewis on offense. On defense you are right, we need to wear out their weak interior D by getting it into the paint and not settle for a jump shooting contest because we likely can't hang in one of those.

I was aware, but a stretch 4 relies on an overpowering big man in the middle. Amare is several leagues above Dwight in terms of post moves and shooting, but the difference in brute strength is significant. Al can guard Amare. He can't guard Dwight.

It still takes Josh away from the paint where can help out and be a blocking force. Also if he loses focus and wanders away from Frye on the perimeter he can light us up with bombs like Lewis or Anderson does. Furthermore we'll probably see a lot of pick and pop switches as well with Frye easily lofting threes over Bibby. You are right that without a overpowering big the stretch four can be negated, but it requires effort and focus which is not a given for us.

[LL Cool Scott]

If we come out and play with intensity on D and crash the D and O boards, we WILL win this game.

If we do not play with intensity and crash the O and D boards, and Stoudemire gets Al and/or Josh in foul trouble, we will NOT win this game.

I think it's just that simple.

That being said, this is my favorite game of the year. Love the Suns, just not tonight!

[HMFFL]

Zaza Pachulia will sit this one out. The last thing we need is ZaZa getting some of our players sick, so I hope he stays home for this one.

[DirtybirdGA]

So who would spell Al against the Suns? Is Joe Smith gonna play some 5? I'm thinking Marv will slide to 4 and Josh at 5 in some cases.