The Brooklyn Nets are moving closer to clinching their first postseason berth since 2007 heading into Sunday's matchup with the visiting Atlanta Hawks, who have won two straight following three consecutive losses. After playing Atlanta, the Nets head out for an eight-game, 17-day road trip beginning Monday in Detroit. The Hawks return home Monday for three games before facing four Eastern Conference foes on the road.After missing Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers with a sprained left knee, Josh Smith had 17 points and 11 rebounds in a 107-94 win over Phoenix on Friday. Smith played nearly 36 minutes in the victory, which kept the Hawks in a tie with Chicago for fifth place in the East. Brooklyn has won nine of its last 14 to move within one game of third-place New York.TV: 8 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), YES (Brooklyn)ABOUT THE HAWKS (36-29): Smith makes the more spectacular plays, but forward Al Horford might be the team's most consistent player. Horford has scored in double figures in 24 consecutive games, and he had 15 points and 12 boards in a 93-80 loss to the Nets on March 9. Speaking of consistent players, guard Kyle Korver has made a 3-pointer in 58 straight games for the NBA's longest active streak. Point guard Jeff Teague is battling a sprained left ankle and had eight points on 2-of-10 shooting against the Suns on Friday.ABOUT THE NETS (38-27): Brooklyn is closing in on rival New York thanks largely to the improved play of point guard Deron Williams, who recorded his second consecutive double-double with 21 points and 13 assists in a 10-point win over New Orleans on Tuesday. Williams is shooting 46.7 percent and averaging 23.3 points since the All-Star break. Guard Joe Johnson, averaging 16.6 points overall, hopes to return against the Hawks after missing Tuesday's game with a sore heel. BUZZER BEATERS1. The Nets are 22-13 at the Barclays Center, including 16-4 against Eastern Conference opponents.2. Atlanta C Zaza Pachulia missed his seventh consecutive game Friday with a right Achilles injury, and there's no timetable for his return.3. Brooklyn is 21-3 when holding its opponent under 90 points.PREDICTION: Nets 93, Hawks 90