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Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: March 22nd at Washington Wizards

By Andrew Snyder

Oct 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) controls a rebound defended by Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) controls a rebound defended by Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after a turnover in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Wizards 98-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after a turnover in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Wizards 98-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Are The Wizards?

The Washington Wizards come into tonight’s contest against the Atlanta Hawks with a 42-28 record. That’s the best mark in the Southeast Division and has them in third place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

They’re 2.5 games back of the Boston Celtics for second place, and seem destined for an Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with those same hated Celtics. Early in the season, nobody in their right mind would have predicted that the Wizards were going to finish as a top three seed. Heck, it looked like they wouldn’t even make the playoffs.

Washington started the season 6-12, looking like a complete mess of a team with no direction. I went on the Timeout With Ti Podcast and declared that Washington should trade John Wall and rebuild. That was perhaps the dumbest thing I’ve ever said. Since then the Wizards have gone 36-16. I should probably keep my non-Hawks related NBA opinions to myself.

Wall has been fantastic this season. He’s averaging 22.9 points and 10.8 assists per game on 44.6 percent shooting and 31.4 percent from outside. His outside shooting has dipped, but he controls games with his ability to break down defenses off the dribble. Wall gets to the rim with ease and has created open shots for Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. all season.

Beal is leading Washington in scoring, pouring in 23.1 points per game on 40.5 percent shooting from three-point range. Most importantly, he’s been healthy for most of the season. Beal has played 34.8 minutes per game in 66 games. That’s what Wizards fans would love to see from him every season.

Porter has been a revelation this season. He’s turned himself into a reliable wing that is extremely efficient. Porter is averaging 14 points and 6.6 rebounds per game on 52.1 percent shooting and 44.5 percent from three-point distance. And to think, Porter has been considered a bust for most of his young career.

Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris round out their starting five. That five man group is plus 10.7 points per 100 possessions in over 1,200 minutes together this season. A small-ball lineup that swaps Kelly Oubre Jr. for Morris is plus 19.5 points per 100 possessions. Those two lineups are deadly.

Their bench leaves a little to be desired, but the acquisition of Bojan Bogdanovic has helped. Overall the Wizards have the ninth best offensive rating in the NBA and the 19th best defensive rating. That doesn’t usually signal a championship contender, but their win/loss record doesn’t lie.

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