Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns Game Information

Atlanta Hawks (5-5) vs. Phoenix Suns (7-4)

Date: 1/13/21

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Phoenix Suns Arena

TV Coverage: NBA League Pass, Fox Sports Southeast, Fox Sports Arizona

Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns Moneyline, Spread, Total, and Odds

Moneyline: (Open: Hawks +184 / Suns -220) (Current: Hawks +184 / Suns -220)

Spread: (Open: Suns -5.5) (Current: Suns -5.5)

Total: (Open: 228) (Current: 228)

NBA Championship Odds: Hawks +10000 / Suns +3600

Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!

Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns News and Notes

Atlanta lists six players on the injury report: Clint Capela (hand), Onyeka Okongwu (toe), and Rajon Rondo (knee) will be game-time decisions. Danilo Gallinari (ankle) will be out until 1/20, Kris Dunn (ankle) is out until February, and Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) is out until March.

Only two players are listed for Phoenix: Cameron Payne (ankle) will be a game-time decision, while Jalen Smith (COVID-19 protocols) is expected to be out until 1/15.

Notable Trends

• The total is 10-3 to the under in their last 13 meetings.
• Atlanta is on a 6-0 run to the under in their last six games.
• Atlanta is on a 4-0 run to the under when playing on one day’s rest.
• Atlanta is on a 6-0 run to the under when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Atlanta is 1-4 to the under on the road this season.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns Predictions and Picks

My handicap for this game will largely center on Atlanta, given the prevailing trends they have coming into this game. The Hawks are 1-4 in their last five games after a 4-1 start to the season. Part of the reason for Atlanta’s struggles is that they’ve gone ice-cold:  Over their last three games, the Hawks’ effective field goal percentage, which is adjusted to account for three-point field goals vs. two-point field goals, has dropped to 44.4% from their season average of 51.5%.

Despite their shooting woes, the Hawks have also stepped up their efforts on the defensive end. Per TeamRankings, Atlanta has improved their defensive efficiency from 1.056 to 1.015 over their last three games, putting them fourth in the league over that same span.

Keep in mind that the Hawks are also playing at a slower pace during that same span with 101.5 possessions per game, which is less than their season average at 103.7. The fact that Atlanta is 1-4 to the under this season suggests that they can control the tempo of a game even as the visiting opponent.

The absence of key players for Atlanta has also been an issue, with as many as six players listed on the injury report. 

My model projects the combined score of this is game to come in well below the total — giving me an edge at the current number at 228. I like the Hawks to make it 7-0 to the under after tonight.

The Pick: Under 228