Peachtree Hoops: Preview and Game Thread #7: Phoenix Suns vs Atlanta Hawks

[Hawksquawk]

 

Atlanta Hawks 10-11 Season Game  #7
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2-3		6-0
Phillips Arena
November 7, 2010, 5:00 PM
Sports South, 99X FM, Pre and Post Game Show 680 The Fan, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Mike Bibby
Jason Richardson	SG	Joe Johnson
Grant Hill	SF	TBA
Hedo Turkoglu	PF	Josh Smith
Robin Lopez	C	Al Horford

Hawks Injury Report: Marvin Williams (knee), Mo Evans (knee), and Pape Sy (back) are out

Suns Injury Report: Josh Childress (finger) is probable

SB Nation Suns Blog: Bright Side of the Sun

Game Preview

The Hawks come back to Atlanta fresh off of Friday night's win over Minnesota. I really have no idea on who will start this game and if you look above the Hawks could have some problems with match ups in this game. Much more so than they did with Minnesota. I will try and update this if more info becomes available. This game marks the return of former Hawks draft pick Josh Childress to Atlanta for the first time since he donned a Hawks uniform. It also marks the homecoming of former Augusta State Center Garrett Siler who is in a bench role with the Suns.

Keys to the Game

It is kind of hard to narrow down on one key until you really know how the Hawks will line up. The Suns are flexible enough to run a smaller lineup with Turkoglu at the power forward position or they can go with a longer lineup by inserting Hakim Warrick at power forward and slide Turkoglu to small forward. That scenario doesn't even mention a player like Channing Frye who plays the center position but shoots a high volume of three point shots. 

Depending on the match ups, Hawks players like Al Horford and Josh Smith will have to be prepared to defend all over the floor. Expect a heavy diet of Steve Nash pick and rolls and pick and pops. The Hawks will have to be sound in rotating out to shooters and need a strong night on the boards. Points shouldn't be hard to come by for the Hawks but if they get a match up in their favor then they should look to exploit it. Should be a fun game. 

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