Hawks vs Suns Preview: Atlanta tries to stop late-game meltdowns against Phoenix

Mar 2, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard

(1) dribbles past Atlanta Hawks power forward

(32) and Atlanta Hawks small forward

(5) in the second half at US Airways Center. The Phoenix Suns won the game 129-120. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Update: Kyle Korver has been ruled out, according to Mike Budenholzer in pregame.

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Date: March 24, 2014

Tip-Off Time: 7:30 p.m.

TV Channel: SportSouth (Local in Atlanta), NBA League Pass

Radio: 92.9 FM (Atlanta Flagship), Atlanta Hawks Radio Network Affiliates

Live Stream: League Pass Broadband

After a weekend that featured two late-game collapses to the Pelicans and Raptors, the Atlanta Hawks (31-37) are heading back to the Philips Arena to take on the Phoenix Suns (41-29) and, hopefully, play a full four quarters.

Much of that would be easier with Kyle Korver available throughout the entire game, but his status probably won’t be known until game time gets closer to us.

The Suns are coming into Atlanta with an active three-game winning streak, most recently extended with a 127-120 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite Kevin Love missing a triple-double by a single assist, the Suns were able to take down a solid T-Wolves team. Markieff Morris was huge for Phoenix in that game, coming off the bench to score 25 points on 10-13 shooting in addition to hauling in eight rebounds.

The entire Suns team is also coming off of their best shooting game of the season. They shot 57 percent from the field, and the Hawks have been found guilty of poor defense throughout this season, so they could continue that success tonight.

With Phoenix playing well of late and the Hawks struggling, Vegas’s decision to make the Hawks 3-point underdogs at home makes some sense. Atlanta’s going to have its hands full trying to handle a fast-paced Phoenix squad, but this would be a highly encouraging victory if the Hawks can buckle down.