Peachtree Hoops: Game 64: Hawks at Wizards

[Hawksquawk]

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Three-day breaks are few and far between over the course of an NBA season, but the Atlanta Hawks enjoyed a respite this week. With that said, Lloyd Pierce’s team likely had a sour taste in its mouth after a blowout home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday and Friday night’s match-up against the Washington Wizards provides an opportunity to bounce back.

The Hawks and Wizards split the first two meetings this season, with both teams winning at home. In the last battle on Jan. 26, the Hawks scored a season-high 152 points (including a 47-point quarter) and that scoring output was the most by the franchise in a regulation game since 1970. With that in mind, it is worth noting that the Wizards are, to date, the worst defensive team in the NBA, and the Hawks should be able to execute offensively.

On the flip side, the Wizards do have a solidly above-average offense, headlined by Bradley Beal and sharp-shooter Davis Bertans, and that could present issues for the Hawks. It will help Atlanta to have a starting-caliber center available, though, as Dewayne Dedmon (elbow) projects to return from a four-game absence.

Dedmon is officially listed as probable, and he is joined in that distinction by DeAndre’ Bembry (abdominal), Cam Reddish (back), and Bruno Fernando (shin). For the Wizards, Ish Smith is unavailable.

As of Friday morning, the good folks in Las Vegas install the Hawks as three-point underdogs in this match-up, and it is worth noting that the over/under total is currently the highest in any Hawks game this season. Washington doesn’t have a significant talent advantage over Atlanta but, in taking a step back, the Wizards have been the better team this season and the Hawks have the NBA’s worst record (6-25) in road games. Still, Atlanta is more than capable of pulling the (mild) upset in this spot and it will be interesting to see how they respond after Monday’s flat effort.

Stay tuned throughout the day and be encouraged to utilize the comments below as a “game thread” for the action.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Friday, March 6, 7:00 pm ET

Location: Capital One Arena

TV: Fox Sports Southeast, NBA League Pass

Radio: 92.9 The Game (Atlanta); Hawks Radio Network

Streaming: Fox Sports Go, NBA League Pass

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