The Atlanta Hawks enter Wednesday's matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies (7:00 PM, SportSouth, 97.9 FM) with a modest three game winning streak. Whether or not the streak will reach four may depend on if Joe Johnson can shake off his bum elbow and play at Philips Arena.
The elbow issue cropped up in the past few days and is unrelated to Johnson's poor shooting of late. The Atlanta All-Star is averaging just 12.6 points per game over his last eight contests and is shooting just 34-percent from the field. His teammates have picked up the slack, though.
Josh Smith recorded his third-career triple double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in Atlanta's 96-78 rout of the Toronto Raptors. Al Horford has also been solid of late, posting double-digit points in each of the Hawks' last four games.
Memphis will look to avenge a 119-104 win by the Hawks in the season opener for both teams on Beale Street. Johnson lead five players into double figures with 22 points in that one. The Grizzlies also are looking for their first win at Philips Arena since Nov. 12, 2005.
The Grizzlies (8-10) enter Atlanta red-hot, winning four of their last five, including a 98-96 upset of the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in Memphis. Mike Conely had a season-high 28 points and Rudy Gay had 14 for the Grizzlies in the upset.