As we discussed in today's gameday preview, there is an interesting quirk in the recent match-ups for the Hawks - they've been playing some hot teams of late. The Bobcats had won 4 straight before beating the Hawks on Friday night in Charlotte (they would run that to 6 before losing to the Spurs last night). Atlanta then snapped Detroit's 4-game winning streak on Saturday, and disposed of New Orleans 7-game run on Monday.

Tonight it gets a little tougher - the Jazz come to town having won 12 in a row. That in and of itself isn't so scary; in addition the Detroit and New Orleans the Hawks also ended an 11-game streak by Cleveland back in December (and were a FT away from breaking up a 14-game run by the Celtics). What is worrisome is the match-up problems the Jazz create for the Hawks. For whatever reason, they just seem to always be a tough out for Atlanta, as we saw in Utah's 108-89 home win a few weeks ago.

And though the Hawks will be shorthanded again without Marvin Williams (he is still undergoing some tests to determine the extent of his back injury), there is reason to think we'll get a W this evening. First of all, the Jazz are playing the second night of a back-to-back, so hopefully their legs will be a little worn from last night's win in Indiana. Secondly, though the Hawks haven't won in Utah in a decade and a half, they have had success at Philips, including last year's 116-111 win. Two years ago they held a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter before the Jazz rallied, and while they lost the game they clearly showed they can beat this team at home.

Toss in the fact that the Jazz are only 13-17 on the road, and I think you have the recipe for a potentially huge home win over a bona fide title contender.

In other news, here are some other match-ups to watch tonight.

Raptors at Sixers
What we'd like to see: A Toronto win would help. Given the Raptors 11-23 road record and current 5-game losing streak though, I don't know how likely that is against the homestanding Sixers.

Celtics at Heat
What we'd like to see: The Celtics are hurting and will be without regulars Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, and Glen Davis tonight in Miami. They are fighting for the East's top seed though, so hopefully they'll be able to overcome the shortage of healthy bodies and gut out a win over the Heat.

Knicks at Pistons
What we'd like to see: A clash of styles tonight in Detroit - hopefully the Knicks will be able to get the Pistons to play at their pace and outscore them the same way they did to Atlanta last week at the Garden.

Feel free to add your thoughts or predictions in the comments.