The NBA best Phoenix Suns open a four-game Eastern Conference road swing with the surging Atlanta Hawks in the first game of the NBA on TNT Thursday doubleheader. The Suns became the first team to win 40 games knocking off the Spurs on Sunday for their 10th straight victory. It’s their second double-digit winning streak of the season to go along with their team record 18-game run earlier in the season. The best road team in the Association, the Suns put their eight-game road winning streak on the line in this matchup.
The contest between the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA and will air live on TNT. BookMaker.eu will have odds for every game on the Thursday NBA schedule.
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Odds Analysis
Proving last season wasn’t a fluke, the Suns surged to the best record in the NBA and are on pace to eclipse their 51 wins from a season ago. They stretched their most recent winning streak to 10 with a 115-110 victory over San Antonio on Sunday, though they failed to cover the 13.5-point spread. Still, Phoenix has been a good bet against the NBA betting line going 27-22 ATS overall. Playing on the road usually has its problems but that hasn’t been the case. The Suns have won eight straight away from home going 7-1 ATS and they are a league-best 19-4 on the road going 15-8 ATS.
The Hawks climbed back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture thanks to a winning streak that reached seven games with a comeback over the Lakers on Sunday night. The Hawks covered the 7.5-point line in the 129-121 decision outscoring LA 38-20 in the final period for their seventh consecutive payout. Atlanta improved to 24-25 SU and 22-27 ATS. Six of those seven wins came at home where the Hawks are now 14-11 SU and 13-12 ATS.
Phoenix Suns
In order to win over 81 percent of your games you have to get contributions from the entire roster. And that’s what the Suns are getting. Eight players average double figures in scoring with another two scoring more than 9.0 points per game. And the club has made some shrewd moves dealing with COVID absences. A few weeks ago when several front court players were shelved, the team signed Bismack Biyombo to an emergency contract. All he’s done is average 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds while moving into the starting lineup.
The best move the team made was acquiring Chris Paul ahead of last season. He gave the club a needed veteran presence while also playing at a high level. And CP3 continues to drive the club. He averages over 14 points with league-best 10.3 assists. Devin Booker scores over 25 points per game and the Suns have an efficient offense while also sporting a top defense. They hold opponents to 43.9 shooting while allowing 105 points per game. They’ve held opponents to just over 101 points during their eight-game road winning streak with the UNDER going 6-2.
Atlanta Hawks
After their surprising run to the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Hawks are finding out how difficult the road back to the playoffs can be. They moved from 12th in the conference to 10th by winning seven straight and still have some work to do. But they are playing better with defense being a big reason why. They did allow the Lakers to shoot over 71 percent while scoring 71 first half points on Sunday, but the Hawks clamped down in the second half, and especially the fourth quarter to rally for the win. “If our mindset is right we got stops on the defensive end ... I think we have a good chance of winning any night,” Trae Young said.
The Hawks may have to move forward without the services of Young, who injured his shoulder in the Lakers game and was scratched from Monday’s lineup. Young is fifth in the league in scoring averaging 27.7 points and third in assists with 9.3 per game. He had 31 points and 13 rebounds in Atlanta’s 121-117 loss in Phoenix back in November.
NBA Odds Pick
A lot depends on the severity of Young’s injury. If he’s out for this game I like the Suns; if he’s in I still like the Suns. The overall play of Phoenix with contributions throughout the lineup makes them a tough out. I suppose that’s why they have the best record in the NBA. The teams have played over the total in five straight games and Atlanta’s suspect group could concede plenty of points making the OVER a strong play.
NBA Odds Prediction: Suns 117, Hawks 111
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