Hawks Set Sights on Third Straight Win Against Struggling Wizards
The Atlanta Hawks are gearing up for a pivotal matchup tonight as they face off against the Washington Wizards on the road, seeking to extend their winning streak to three games. This marks the first encounter of the season between these two teams. Atlanta has demonstrated strong performance against division rivals, boasting a perfect 3-0 record against them thus far, which includes two victories over the Orlando Magic and a win against the Charlotte Hornets last Sunday.
Wizards’ Struggles Continue
Entering the contest, the Wizards find themselves in a challenging position, holding the league’s worst record at 1-15. Although the Hawks will be without their star point guard Trae Young, they are still viewed as the superior team compared to the struggling Wizards. With a tough stretch of games looming against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons, this match is crucial for Atlanta to secure a victory.
Starters for Tonight’s Game
The starting lineups for tonight’s clash are as follows:
Hawks
G – Nickeil Alexander-Walker
G – Dyson Daniels
F – Zaccharie Risacher
F – Jalen Johnson
C – Kristaps Porzingis
Wizards
G – CJ McCollum
G – Corey Kispert
F – Bilal Coulibaly
F – Kris Middleton
C – Alex Sarr
Statistical Breakdown
In the game preview, insights into the Hawks’ performance through the first 18 games reveal a mixed bag. The offense has been fairly average overall, despite the absence of their top playmaker. They currently rank 17th in points scored, 7th in field goal percentage, 10th in three-point percentage, and 19th in free throw percentage. Additionally, Atlanta sits at 27th in rebounds, with struggles in offensive boards, but ranks 3rd in assists and 13th in turnovers per game. Their offensive rating is 16th in the league, indicating they can compete effectively against various opponents.
On the defensive end, the Hawks, while reliant on capitalizing on turnovers, have still managed to establish themselves as one of the better units in the NBA. They rank 10th in points allowed, 11th in field goal percentage allowed, and 7th in three-point percentage allowed. However, they sit lower at 24th in rebounds allowed and 13th in defensive rating, placing them in an above-average tier.
In contrast, the Wizards’ offensive shortcomings are apparent. They rank 23rd in total points, 21st in field goal percentage, and 26th in free throw percentage. Despite a commendable 9th place in three-point shooting, their offensive efficiency suffers due to frequent mistakes, leading to a 29th ranking in turnovers. Washington’s defense, anchored by Alex Sarr, continues to struggle, ranking dead last in points allowed and rebounds allowed. They have yet to find a consistent defensive rhythm, which presents a favorable matchup for the Hawks.
With a relatively weak defense to exploit, Atlanta stands poised to take control of the game, aiming to solidify their momentum as they look ahead to the challenges that follow.
