Even after gaining an impressive 27-12 lead after the first quarter, Atlanta was barely able to hold on in an eventual 95-91 win over the lowly Phoenix Suns. Getting that win was extremely important to the Hawks, however, as they finally ended a seven-game losing streak that nearly took them out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference. They remain as a fifth seed, but they're just two games clear of the last playoff spot and it's now nearly impossible to get one of the top four spots in the conference.
Suns aren't able to eek out a win
Phoenix has also been in a rut as they've been shutting players down and are essentially tanking for a better draft pick.
They've lost 11 of their last 12 games, but surprisingly they turned things around in the second quarter to only have a three-point deficit at the break. However, they ultimately weren't able to hand the Hawks their eighth consecutive defeat.
The Suns hit just 36.5 percent of their shots, went 7-for-31 from 3-point range, and went a measly 14-for-24 from the foul line. Small forward TJ Warren (14.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg) has bounced back nicely from his foot injury. He's accumulated 45 points and 18 rebounds in his last two games.
Hawks survive despite poor offense
It wasn't pretty for Atlanta as they hit just 40 percent of their shots and converted 6-of-27 from downtown. However, Phoenix gave them the medicine they needed by playing even worse on offense.
Despite the losing streak ending, the Hawks should still be very concerned. Four of their next five games are on the road and that stretch includes games against Chicago, Boston, and Cleveland.
Point guard Dennis Schroder (18 ppg, 6.3 apg) was a microcosm of the game itself. He led the way with 27 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds.
However, he went 12-for-27 from the field himself, taking roughly 44 percent of the team's shots. He also went 2-for-8 from downtown. Center Dwight Howard (13.4 ppg, 12.8 rpg) has seen his offense improve recently, averaging 18 points in the last three games.
