The Atlanta Hawks matchup against the Wizards could define their season
The Atlanta Hawks have not had the season that they would have been hoping for but they have the chance to turn it around. They won their last start against the Chicago Bulls at home but face the Washington Wizards on the second night of a back to back.
This game marks the start of a three game road trip which could make the rest of the season a little easier for the Georgia franchise. They play the Wizards who have lost Bradley Beal, their star player, for the rest of the season thanks to surgery on his left wrist.
The Wizards were also very busy at the trade deadline, sending out Montrezl Harrell, Davis Bertans, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Aaron Holiday. In return they received Kristaps Porzingis, who is out indefinately, Vernon Carey Jr and welcomed home Ish Smith. This was after the massive offseason trade where they moved Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers.
How the Atlanta Hawks could define their season against the Wizards.
After a brief stint in the ninth seed, the Hawks slipped back down to the tenth seed, which is the last spot for the play-in tournament. They are equal to the Charlotte Hornets on win/loss but do not hold the advantage in their season series.
The Wizards are a game and a half behind the Hawks and if they can get the win on the Wizards home court then they put another game between the two teams in the standings. Two and a half games is a big margin to make up in twenty games given that the Hawks are about to enter the easiest part of their schedule for the season.
On top of that, the Wizards leading active scorer is Kyle Kuzma and if the Hawks get their trademark defense out of De’Andre Hunter, then he will have a less than efficient night. This is where trading away Harrell is going to hurt the Wizards. He was a beast on the boards in their last matchup which the Wizards will miss.
Next. Why the Hawks want the Hornets to keep winning. dark
The Hawks just need to press home their advantages. If they can do this then they just need to look forward in the standings, not backwards. Becoming the hunter is a good thing for this team, it gives them focus which is something they lacked at the start of the season.