<div align="center">Date: February 9th, 2007 Time: 9PM EST Place: US Airways Center @ <font color=""Red"">Atlanta Hawks (18-30)</font> vs <font color=""DarkOrange"">Phoenix Suns (39-10)</font> T.Lue, J.Johnson, J.Smith, M.Williams, L.Wright L.Barbosa, R.Bell, B.Diaw, S.Marion, A.Stoudemire </div> Last Games: <font color=""Red"">Hawks</font>: Nets 87 @ Hawks 85 <font color=""DarkOrange"">Suns</font>: Suns 109 @ Blazers 102 Last Ten: <font color=""Red"">Hawks</font>: 5-5 <font color=""DarkOrange"">Suns</font>: 8-2 Series History: Phoenix has won 21 of the last 27 games against the Hawks, including five straight and have swept the season series 5 of the last 7 seasons. Phoenix holds the all-time series lead 58-44 including a 37-14 mark at home. Notes: Phoenix owns Atlanta's draft pick this summer unless the Hawks fall into one of the top 3 spots, currently the Hawks have the 6th worst record in the NBA. Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw were traded for each other before last season; last year Boris averaged 19.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 7 APG, shooting 70% against the Hawks while JJ averaged 25 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3 APG, shooting 53% against the Suns. Injuries: Kurt Thomas (PHX) is out, Steve Nash (PHX) is day-to-day but I'm getting the feeling he won't play. My Prediction: Atlanta 99 - Phoenix 111
I don't give Atlanta any chance in this game, they don't play any defense and they're too, inconsistent to keep up with Phoenix pace. The Suns usually don't overlook teams, and D'Antoni does a great job of keeping his players motivated even when his team is up by 20 points with under a minute left in the game. There was a game earlier this year, when D'Antoni called a timeout to substitute Pat Burke in for I think Amare or Diaw? He spent a minute yelling at the player, and then subbed him back in the game for Burke. It was hiliarious, and the game was pretty already out of reach. The Suns should be able to put the game out of reach by the start of the 4th quarter, and D'Antoni can give some playing time to his bench guys. The Suns still haven't set their 8 man rotation for the post season, so this is a good opportunity for a bench player to get noticed.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Suns still haven't set their 8 man rotation for the post season</div> I think since James Jones returned to form the rotation has been set, the reason they've been playing Banks a lot lately is because Kurt Thomas is out. I think the 3 bench players will be Barbosa, Thomas, and James Jones. I don't think Banks, Jumaine Jones or Jalen Rose have shown enough when they do get the chance. I wish they'd have played Rose more while Kurt is out, I think it would benefit the Suns to have him ready if they need him in the playoffs, he can play a lot of positions and don't forget the last 2 years they've had a shooting guard go down with an injury in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't give Atlanta any chance in this game,</div> good call...
