Phoenix @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 2, 2019 ) Atlanta 118, Phoenix 112

The Phoenix Suns continue pursuit of the No. 1 pick in June's NBA draft against the Hawks in Atlanta on Saturday. Phoenix has lost a franchise-record 16 straight contests after coming out of the All-Star break with a 111-98 setback at Cleveland on Thursday and owns the worst record in the league by one loss over the New York Knicks.

"We all feel bad about it, but that's who we are right now with our record," Suns coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters. "That's not opinion, that's just fact. You can't be lackadaisical and take any possession off. When you have a young team, players need to understand that every possession, every shot, every screen is important." Atlanta is coming off a 125-122 loss to Detroit on Friday for its fifth setback in the last six games - all at home. The Hawks' Trae Young continued his solid rookie season with 30 points and 10 assists against the Pistons, giving him double-digit assists in four straight games. Atlanta has won three of the last four meetings after a 118-112 victory Feb. 2 in the first of two encounters this season behind John Collins, who matched a career high with 35 points and grabbed 16 rebounds.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE SUNS (11-49): Devin Booker (team highs of 24.7 points, 6.7 assists) came out of the break in fine form with 30 points and seven assists against Cleveland and had 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against Atlanta earlier this month. Deandre Ayton (16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds) is shooting 58.7 percent from the field, which would be the highest percentage by a rookie averaging a double-double in NBA history. Kelly Oubre Jr. (14.3 points) scored 23 on Thursday and has scored at least that many in four of the last six games after recording four such contests in his first 52 games this season.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (19-40): Collins (team highs of 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds) and Young (17.1 points, club-best 7.7 assists) continue to offer hope for the future. Rookie guard Kevin Huerter (9.3 points, 27.3 minutes per game) did not play Friday and is expected to miss Saturday's game because of a sprained ankle. Vince Carter, 42, scored 16 points in 16 minutes Friday, shooting 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-6 from 3-point range.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Phoenix SF T.J. Warren (18.0 points per game) has missed the last 11 contests with an ankle injury.

2. Atlanta C Dewayne Dedmon (10.6 points) scored 14 and added 12 rebounds Friday and has exceeded his scoring average in seven of nine February games.

3. Booker has 11 recorded contests with at least 30 points and seven assists this season and is one of three players (Houston's James Harden, 24; Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, 10) in the league with at least 10.

PREDICTION: Hawks 110, Suns 105