Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

O&N HOME | NFL MLB NBA NHL NCAAF NCAABk Nascar Golf Soccer Tennis Boxing Horse Racing All Sports

Atlanta opens important homestand against Milwaukee

Wed 26th, March 2008

(Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks start up an important three-game homestand with tonight's clash against the road-challenged Milwaukee Bucks at Philips Arena.

Atlanta enters the residency clinging to a half-game lead on New Jersey for the eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, with Indiana lurking just one game back of the Hawks at the moment. Atlanta's margin was cut into after the club dropped a 103-94 decision to host Chicago on Tuesday.

The Hawks held a two-point edge on the Bulls at halftime, but were outscored by a 28-14 count in the third quarter and were never able to overcome the deficit.

Josh Childress came off the bench to score a team-best 22 points for Atlanta, which has lost two of three following a three-game win streak.

The Hawks have an opportunity to avenge Tuesday's loss when the Bulls invade Philips Arena on Friday. Atlanta will also host New York on this homestand and own a 21-13 record as the host this season.

Milwaukee has had major problems on the road in 2007-08, having compiled an awful 6-28 record away from the Bradley Center. The Bucks have lost six straight and 13 of their last 14 as the visitor, including Monday's 78-73 setback to the lowly Miami Heat in South Florida.

Michael Redd scored 24 points for the Bucks and Andrew Bogut recorded his 32nd double-double of the year with a 16-point, 17-rebound effort.

Milwaukee has also dropped seven of its last eight overall tests and is 13th out of the 15 Eastern Conference teams with a 24-45 record.

The Bucks have won two of their three matchups with the Hawks this season, however, although Atlanta was a 96-80 victor when these teams met at Philips Arena back in November.

The Hawks are seeking their first trip to the playoffs since the 1998-99 campaign, when the club went 31-19 in a strike-shortened season and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Where the players come to play and STAY.