Phoenix Suns @ Atlanta Hawks
This week’s NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K18 match-up sees the Atlanta Hawks take on the Phoenix Suns.
The game will see two of the league’s best young point guards, Dennis Schroder and Devin Booker, go head-to-head.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have assembled an intriguing young core led by third-year guard Devin Booker, the 13th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Booker, 21, ranks 10th in the NBA in scoring (24.7 ppg), with three 40-point games under his belt this season.
TJ Warren, the 14th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has quietly developed into a quality scorer (19.5 ppg). After a slow start, rookie Josh Jackson, the fourth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, is averaging 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in February (through Feb. 26).
Unfortunately for Suns fans, they are on pace to win less than 30 games for the third consecutive season.
For the Suns to take the next step, they’re going to need high Lottery picks Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss to live up to expectations.
Both have shown flashes, but have lacked consistency in their first two seasons. The team’s coaching situation remains fluid. Jay Triano took over when Earl Watson was replaced a week into the season.
Player to watch – Devin Booker
Devin Booker was recently crowned Three Point Contest Champion at this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend and has backed this up with a 40-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans last week.
The 21-year-old has led the Suns in points per game this season with 24.7, which also places him in the top 10 in the league.
The last time Booker faced the Hawks on Jan. 2, he scored eight of his 37 points in the last 37 seconds to give the Suns a 104-103 comeback victory.
Atlanta Hawks
After winning 60 games and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2014-15, and advancing to the second round of the playoffs the following season, the Hawks decided it was time to start rebuilding.
All five starters from the 2014-15 team have moved on. Atlanta clawed its way into the playoffs in 2016-17, but it’s streak of 10 consecutive postseason appearances will likely end this year.
Only Dennis Schroder, Kent Bazemore and Mike Muscala remain from the 2014-15 team. Schroder has been productive in a starring role, averaging close to 20 points per game. The key moving forward for the Hawks is how their younger players develop and how well they do in the NBA Draft.
Second-year forward Taurean Prince and rookie John Collins both look like talented prospects and recently competed in the Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars during All-Star Weekend. Atlanta will have three first-round picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Player to watch – Dennis Schroder
Dennis Schroder is starting to emerge as a franchise player for the Atlanta Hawks and has led the team in points and assists per game, with 19.4 and 6.2 respectively.
The German point guard has been the positive spark in what has been a disappointing season so far for the Hawks.
Schroder will come up against talented PG Devin Booker this Sunday so will need to up his defensive game in order to keep Booker’s scoring output to a minimum.
Who wins? Tweet your prediction using #NBASUNDAYS
‘NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K18’ on BT Sport – a live NBA game every Sunday at 8:30pm. This week on March 4th the Atlanta Hawks will host the Phoenix Suns on BT Sport 1.