Atlanta Hawks: 5 most compelling games for the 2017-18 season

Atlanta Hawks: 5 most compelling games of the 2017-18 season

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4. Jan. 2 at Phoenix Suns

After beginning the 2017-18 campaign with five consecutive road contests, the Atlanta Hawks open the 2018 portion of their season with a five-game trip on the West coast.

The first opponent on the road trip is Phoenix, the team continually linked to Cavaliers All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving in trade rumors.

If the Hawks are to avoid a 16-win decrease from a season ago, as predicted by ESPN, securing victories on the road, especially against Western Conference opponents, is a must.

While Phoenix is a young, talented team, another trip to the draft lottery could be in order. The Suns have missed the playoffs in each of the past seven years, the third-longest active drought in the NBA.

A much-needed victory for Atlanta could be costly, as the Hawks may decrease their chances of securing the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft with a win against Phoenix.

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