Phoenix @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 2, 2018 ) Atlanta 103, Phoenix 104

It likely won't mean all that much to either squad, but the Phoenix Suns or the host Atlanta Hawks will reach the 20-win mark when they tangle Sunday afternoon. The teams entered Saturday nestled in a group of five teams stuck on 19 wins, with the league-worst Memphis Grizzlies right behind with 18 victories.

The only team the Suns have been able to defeat over the past 12 games was the Grizzlies, but they returned to their losing ways at Oklahoma City on Friday with a 124-116 defeat. "I think we probably fatigued a little bit," Phoenix interim coach Jay Triano told reporters. "I don't know if our guys are used to playing at that level for that long of a period of time, but that's what we'll get to." The Hawks played the almighty Golden State Warriors tight before falling 114-109 at home Friday night, dropping to 1-2 on their current four-game homestand. The starting backcourt of Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore combined for 56 points as Atlanta fell to 8-5 at home against Western Conference foes.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE SUNS (19-45): As Phoenix glances toward its future, it has to be pleased with the continued growth of star guard Devin Booker. The 21-year-old scored 39 points against the Thunder - a career high for a home game - while becoming the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 4,000 career points. Booker, who had 34 points in a comeback win over Atlanta on Jan. 2, is averaging 35.8 points over his last four games and he handed out eight assists Friday night.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (19-44): While on pace to finish with their worst record in 13 years, Atlanta is searching for silver linings and the effort against the Warriors qualifies as one. "We only lost by five ... against Golden State so there's not really much we could do," Taurean Prince told reporters. "There's already less room for error playing a team like that, so I think we were even in a position of being able to win a game against them. I guess it shows how hard we're working and what we can be." Prince is averaging 18 points over his last three games but is shooting 17-for-48 in that span.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Phoenix trailed by nine points with under two minutes left before stealing a 104-103 win in the first meeting.

2. Hawks SF DeAndre' Bembry (abdomen) missed each of the last three games.

3. Suns PG Elfrid Payton recorded 10 assists in back-to-back contests and is averaging 7.5 in eight games since being traded from Orlando.

PREDICTION: Hawks 112, Suns 106