:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5774182/20120302_ajw_sa2_162.jpg)
How important was the Hawks rousing defeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night? It was crucial when you consider the struggles the team experienced heading into the All-Star break and hopefully it will provide a confidence boost as the team prepares to open its last significant road trip of the regular season.
Atlanta will open a six-game in nine days road trip on Tuesday night in Indiana against the Pacers. That game is important as both teams have split the season series and this is the rubber match which would serve as a tiebreaker should they end up tied at the end of the regular season. From their Atlanta will head to Miami on Wednesday and back north to Detroit on Friday before heading west.
On the western portion of the trip, Atlanta will have stops in Sacramento on Sunday, March 11, Denver on Tuesday, March 13 and close things out against the Clippers on Wednesday, March 14. After this trip, the Hawks will play eight of their next 11 at home to close out the month of March.
Here is a complete look at the upcoming road trip:
| Tuesday, March 6 | @ Indiana | 7:00pm |
| Wednesday, March 7 | @ Miami | 7:30pm |
| Friday, March 9 | @ Detroit | 7:30pm |
| Sunday, March 11 | @ Sacramento | 9:00pm |
| Tuesday, March 13 | @ Denver | 9:00pm |
| Wednesday, March 14 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | 10:30pm |
A quick peek at the Eastern Conference standings shows the Hawks in sixth place and 2.5 games in front of Boston.
| 1. Chicago | 31 | 8 | -- |
| 2. Miami | 28 | 9 | 2.0 |
| 3. Indiana | 23 | 12 | 6.0 |
| 4. Philadelphia | 22 | 16 | 8.5 |
| 5. Orlando | 24 | 14 | 6.5 |
| 6. Atlanta | 22 | 15 | 8.0 |
| 7. Boston | 19 | 17 | 10.5 |
| 8. New York | 18 | 19 | 12.0 |
Exit questions: What will the Hawks record be on the upcoming road trip and where will they be in the standings once it is over?