Suns continue road trip in Atlanta

The Suns currently hold an 11 1/2-game edge over the Los Angeles Lakers for the lead in the Pacific Division, while the Hawks are just one-half game ahead of Charlotte, which is in last place in the Southeast standings.

This is the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Hawks took the first tilt, 120-111, on February 9 to halt a five-game series losing streak. Phoenix has won seven of the last nine overall in the series and four straight as the visitor.

Phoenix will play the second tilt of a four-game road trip this evening. The Suns won the opener on Friday, as Shawn Marion scored 27 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in a 116-104 win over Minnesota.

Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who also got 24 points from Leandro Barbosa in what was their third straight win. Steve Nash contributed nine points and 15 assists.

The Suns have a league-best 21 wins on the road this season and will also pay visits to Indiana and Philadelphia on their current swing.

Phoenix forward Boris Diaw is questionable for tonight’s game because of back spasms.

Atlanta won for the second time in five games on Friday courtesy of a 105-99 win over Houston. Former Sun Joe Johnson scored 31 points and dished out seven assists in the win.

Josh Smith and Marvin Williams each scored 20 points, while Smith pulled down 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who are 10-16 as the host this year. Zaza Pachulia had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Hawks, while Josh Childress recorded 11 points and 10 boards.

The victory moved the Hawks to 1-1 on their current three-game homestand that concludes this evening. Atlanta next opens a three-game road trip on Monday.