The contrast between the Eastern and Western Conference was on full display Monday night.
The Suns are now 13 games over .500 and their victory over the Hawks moved them into the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. The Hawks fell to seven games under .500 and remain eighth in the East.
The Suns used a strong second half for a 102-95 victory over the Hawks at Philips Arena.
The Hawks (31-38, 20-13 home) have lost three straight games. They are 2-1/2 games ahead of the Knicks in the East. They remain two games behind Charlotte for seventh place with 13 games remaining.
DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 19 points apiece. Lou Williams came off the bench for 17 points. Jeff Teague also added 17 points.
The Suns (42-29, 18-16 road) have won four straight and six of seven games. They are percentage points ahead of the Mavericks for the final spot in the West. Eric Bledsoe led five double-figure scorers with 20 points. Goran Dragic had 19 points, including 14 in a decisive third quarter.
The Suns used a 29-11 third-quarter run to erase a halftime deficit and led by as many as 10 points, 73-63. They took a 77-68 advantage into the final quarter. The Suns scored 35 third-quarter points, just seven points less than their first-half total.
The Suns started fast and led 11-2 just 2:22 into the game. Three of the Suns’ first four baskets were 3-pointers. The Hawks missed their first six shots and were 2 of 10 before getting their offense in gear. The Suns’ lead was gone by early in the second quarter after Williams scored four straight points for a 27-25 advantage. The Hawks led by as many as seven points in the period and took a 45-42 lead into intermission.
It was a stark contrast from the meeting between the teams earlier this month in Phoenix. The Suns scored 40 first-quarter and 79 first-half points in that game.
The Hawks next play at the Timberwolves Wednesday.
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