The Phoenix Suns have been underachievers this season, even though coach Mike Budenholzer now runs a team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal atop his roster. You’d think two local junior college players could round out the starting five and win games. 

Yet the Suns are three games below .500 as they host the Atlanta Hawks. At some point, Phoenix needs to figure out why it’s not having better results.

The Charlotte Hornets are scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. A foolproof prediction? The game will be postponed. Why waste game-night services on NBA players during a horrific wildfire crisis?

In addition to the Hawks-Suns game, we will look at the Notre Dame-Penn State football semifinal playoff game and the NHL contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes.

ATLANTA HAWKS AT PHOENIX SUNS

Booker (39) and Durant (26) combined for 65 points on Tuesday, but the Suns still fell 115-104 to the host Charlotte Hornets, a team that had lost 18 of its previous 19 games. Phoenix was outrebounded 59-42, so apparently demoting big man Jusuf Nurkic to a reserve role isn’t working either.

The organization also has demoted Beal (10 points vs. Charlotte) and would reportedly like to trade him. Beal, though, has a no-trade clause and isn’t on board. “If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards,” Beal said.

The Hawks are looking to gain a split of a six-game road trip after a miraculous 124-121 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Trae Young launched a shot from just beyond midcourt that swished through the net as time expired to cap his 24-point outing.

Young is averaging 22.6 points while two teammates are also pushing 20—Jalen Johnson (19.8) and reserve De’Andre Hunter (19.7). Riding with Atlana seems to be a good idea with Phoenix continuing to sputter.

Hawks +6.5 spread, -112 (DraftKings)

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH VS. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

The Fighting Irish have won 12 straight games and are coming off an impressive 23-10 victory over second-seeded Georgia in the semifinals. Star running back Jeremiyah Love (1,076 yards, 16 touchdowns) left the Georgia game after aggravating a knee injury, but coach Marcus Freeman said the team’s bell-cow back will play.

Quarterback Riley Leonard (18 passing touchdowns, 15 on the ground) typically impresses more with his legs and his leadership than his arm and hasn’t topped 200 passing yards since Oct. 12.Defensively, Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts has 13 interceptions over the past two seasons, but the Irish will be without defensive tackle Rylie Mills (team-best 7.5 sacks), who sustained a season-ending knee injury in the first-round win over Indiana. 

Penn State beat SMU and Boise State by an average of 22.5 points to reach the semis and now faces a team higher in stature. Quarterback Drew Allar matched his season high of three touchdown passes in the quarterfinal win over Boise State, while star tight end Tyler Warren has eye-popping numbers of 98 receptions, 1,158 yards and eight TD receptions.

Nittany Lions All-American defensive end Abdul Carter (11 sacks) is a game-time decision after injuring his left arm against the Broncos. Penn State badly needs the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year to help corral Leonard.

Riley Leonard two-plus rushing touchdowns, +500 (DraftKings)

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS AT CAROLINA HURRICANES

Toronto is soaring with five consecutive victories and has allowed two or fewer goals in four of the games. The Maple Leafs are coming off consecutive 3-2 victories in a home-and-home with the Philadelphia Flyers, the first coming at home in overtime.

Matthew Knies scored the game-winner in Tuesday’s road victory, and John Tavares and Auston Matthews scored the other goals. Matthews has seven points (two goals, five assists) in three games since returning from an injury.

The Hurricanes haven’t won back-to-back games since mid-December as their strong 14-4-0 start has evaporated. Carolina has been strong at home with six wins in its past eight contests.

The Hurricanes dropped a 3-2 decision to host Tampa Bay on Tuesday as the Lightning’s Brayden Point scored the game-winner with 52 seconds remaining. Look for Toronto to win a low-scoring game.

Maple Leafs moneyline, +142 (DraftKings)