Only four NBA games are scheduled for Thursday, February 9, including this inter-conference duel in Atlanta, so make sure you take a look at the best Suns vs. Hawks betting pick and odds.

Phoenix is looking for the fourth consecutive victory, while Atlanta wants to avoid the third straight loss when they meet at State Farm Arena. The Hawks are 4-point favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the total is set at 228.5 points. These inter-conference rivals will face for the second time this season; the Hawks destroyed the Suns 132-100 in Phoenix a week ago.

Suns Acquire Kevin Durant 

The Phoenix Suns (30-26, 30-26-0 ATS) are in fine form right now; they won 11 of the previous 11 games and successfully bounced back from a devastating home loss to the Hawks with three straight wins. The Suns beat the Celtics, Pistons, and Nets to open a five-game road trip, and after this clash against Atlanta, Phoenix will meet Indiana on Friday and then will return home for a three-game stay. The Suns dominated the rebounds (48-36) in the most recent 116-112 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, 16 of which came on offense opposite Brooklyn’s five.

However, the story of the day was the blockbuster trade between the Nets and the Suns. Suns will get Kevin Durant, while the Nets will get Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and four unprotected first-round picks. Kevin Durant will so join Devin Booker and Chris Paul on the Suns team that have now become a contender again.

PG Cameron Payne (foot), and PG Landry Shamet (foot) are out indefinitely. SG Devin Booker will miss Thursday’s game against Atlanta to manage a left groin injury.

Hawks lost to the Pelicans on the road

The Atlanta Hawks (27-28, 24-31-0 ATS) returned home from a five-game road trip on which they suffered three losses, including the last two to the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans. The Hawks will now spend seven of the next eight games at State Farm Arena and are hoping to return to over .500 following that stretch. Atlanta wasn’t good enough from the floor (44.7%) in a 116-107 defeat to the Pels, and that cost the Hawks in this loss.

Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 22 points. Dejounte Murray added 19 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, Trae Young posted a double-double of 16 points and season-high 16 dishes, John Collins chipped in 15 points, six boards, and two blocks, while Clint Capela scored 13 points with eight rebounds.

Trends:

Phoenix:

  • 3-6 ATS in the last nine games against Atlanta
  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games against the Southeast Division opponents

Atlanta:

  • 8-3 ATS in the last 11 home games following a road trip of seven or more days
  • 4-0 ATS in the last four games playing on one day of rest

Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks Pick

The Hawks are a better offensive team and are in the top 10 in that segment with 116.1 points per game. Phoenix is not very efficient when it comes to points; the Suns score 112.7 ppg and are not even in the top 20. Still, the Suns have a stronger defense, but it didn’t help them a week ago when they surrendered 132 points to the Hawks in a blowout loss. I have no doubt Phoenix will be looking for revenge here, but without Devin Booker (injury management) and with Kevin Durant expected to miss this game, I don’t think they will be able to outscore the hosts. That’s why I am backing the Hawks to get a win here.

Pick: Take the Hawks at -2.5 (-133)

The Total

Booker is the Suns’ top scorer with 26.8 ppg and he will surely be missed on Thursday. Atlanta has more individuals who can score 20+ points and more firepower on offense in general, but the visitors will try to limit the Hawks and make a low-scoring tilt out of this game – their only chance to win. While I don’t think they’ll actually get a W in Atlanta, I believe Phoenix can limit the Hawks to around 110-115 points. Under is 6-2 in the Hawks’ last 8 games following an ATS loss, while the total has gone Under in seven of Atlanta’s previous ten games played on a Thursday when at home.

Pick: Go Under 230.5 points (-133)