AJC: Hawks 116, Wizards 96

[Hawksquawk]

Hawks got the 'Joe of old' vs. Wizards (AP)

– It seems unnecessary to quibble about the opponent under the circumstances. The Hawks ended their three-game losing streak with a professional effort. They took control early and never let up, played physical against a bigger team and made John Wall look like an ordinary rookie.

– This felt like one of those beatdowns the Hawks routinely delivered to overmatched teams at Philips last season. They quickly established they were the faster, sharper, better team and never let the Wizards believe they could play with them.

– “We only put up one word on the board: ‘Energy,’” Mo said. “I think we fulfilled that. Everybody played with a lot of intensity, a lot of energy, and we played together for the first time in a long time.”

– “We haven’t had a game like this all season long,” Smoove said. “We really did bring the energy and the effort tonight. We were able to bring it at both ends of the court. We were just helping each other out and …

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