:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6493487/20130112_lbm_au3_203.0.jpg)
A rough stretch was inevitable but the Atlanta Hawks need to snap out of it quickly so that they don't undo all of the good work they have done to start the season. Atlanta is 21-15 after Saturday's loss in Washington and have lost five of their last six games.
The latest Eastern Conference standings show that the Hawks are tied for fifth place alongside the Brooklyn Nets entering play on Sunday. The Hawks will matchup with the Nets twice next week. The Nets are one of three teams that are pushing their way up the conference standings thanks to winning streaks. Brooklyn has won five straight and seven of 10 to pull within 3.5 of Miami.
The Boston Celtics have also won five straight and climbed into seventh place in the Conference with a 19-17 record. They are just 5.5 games behind the Heat. Indiana has won four straight and eight of its last 10 games to move into third place and just two back of Miami.
Atlanta is 13-8 in the conference and is 12-6 at home and 9-9 on the road. Losses to 9-29 Cleveland and 7-27 Washington this week have certainly hurt the Hawks' cause.