Phoenix seems to have found the way to win

Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns
9:00 PM ET, February 15, 2012
US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
Coverage: FAHD

Both of these two teams are on different end of the spectrum all of a sudden, the Atlanta Hawks, who started off the year beating everyone, has now lost its way and is desperately looking for consistency once again. On the other hand you have the Phoenix Suns who when the season began couldn’t have paid an opponent for a win and now have found a way to come together with a fresh start.

The Atlanta Hawks have dropped 4 of their last 6 games and now find themselves in second place in the Southwest division, behind Orlando. Lead by all-star Joe Johnson, who has been somewhat quiet over the last few days is scoring 18.2 points a game while Josh Smith adds 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game. Ranked 7th overall in defense, which is a new part of their game, but dropping from # 11 to 14th in the league on offense, scoring a franchise low 95.5 points a game. This is a major part of their game that will need immediate attention if they want to have any type of success in the post season, or to make it there at all, for that matter.

The Phoenix Suns started off the season terribly, actually the worst start in their franchise record, losing 14 of their first 20 games, mostly at home as well, but something clicked in the locker room, and over the last few weeks we have noticed big changes, such as protecting ball much more, getting the extra pass out for the best shoot and much better defense. They have climbed from 28th to 19th in both offense as well as defense, lead by all star Canadian point guard Steve Nash who is averaging 14.6 points, 10.3 assists a game in about 34 minutes of play, while big man Marcin Gorttat averages 15.1 points, 10 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a game.

The Hawks were simply embarrassed by the Heat at home, losing by 20 points and not even breaking the 90 point mark against one of the worst defending team in the NBA, we all know they got an ear full after that game, but I see them bouncing back from that loss, understanding that it can happen to anyone, but only once, they are a playoff caliber team, and the expectations from their fans are equally as high. The Suns will have to face an attacking Hawks team, they will have to watch the fouls and keep their guard up at all time, I like to Hawks to bounce back from their loss to Miami and make a statement in this win down in Phoenix.