Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: March 22nd at Washington Wizards

Season Series

These Southeast Division rivals have already played three times this season. The Hawks won the first meeting on opening night, while Washington has won the next two contests. Their most recent meeting came on Jan. 28.

At the time, the Hawks had the better record. Since then, the two teams have gone in different directions. The Wizards keep getting better and the Hawks keep getting worse. That game perfectly represented the shift in direction.

Washington absolutely dominated the game. Their offense was sizzling. They shot 48.3 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three-point range. John Wall finished with 19 points, nine assists, and six rebounds on 7-for-17 shooting.

Otto Porter Jr. led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds on 5-for-7 from behind the arc. Bradley Beal and Markieff Morris each had 15 points, as did the Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat. The Hawks struggled on offense.

Only two starters scored in double figures. Dwight Howard had 12 points and Kent Bazemore had 15 points. They shot 36.1 percent from the floor and 29 percent from deep. It was the type of ugly performance that is to be expected from the Hawks’ offense at least once a week.

After that game it was clear that the Wizards were the better team. That has proven to be true over the last few months.