Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 30th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The top two selections from the latest NBA Draft will face off once again on Wednesday as the Washington Wizards welcome the Atlanta Hawks to their home court.
Zaccharie Risacher, who was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by Atlanta, and Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick for Washington, recently went head-to-head for the first time on Monday in a close game that ended in a 121-119 victory for the Wizards.
Risacher, a 19-year-old forward who made his second career start, had a tough time on the court, only scoring four points with a 1-for-8 shooting record. He currently has an average of 7.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in the four games he has played so far.
Sarr, also 19 years old and standing at 7 feet tall, had a better performance in his first NBA win, scoring seven points with a 3-for-11 shooting record, as well as nine rebounds and two blocks. He has an average of seven points and 6.7 rebounds per game in the three games he has played.
The Wizards, who had a disappointing record of 15-67 last season, were led to their first win by two experienced players, Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. They both had an impressive game, with Poole scoring 26 points and Kuzma scoring 25 points.
Poole's stepback 3-pointer in the final minute of the game helped secure the Wizards' victory, and he later made two free throws to seal the deal. He stated, "Tonight was a really big win for us, really big for our morale. We were able to stay connected, offensively and defensively. We have talented guys, guys that work extremely hard. It's good to get that first win in the books, not only for our team but for coach (Brian Keefe) as well."
Keefe, who took over as interim head coach last season and had the interim tag removed in May, earned his first victory with the team.
Unfortunately, Kuzma will not be able to play in the upcoming rematch due to a groin injury.
The Hawks, who have only played four games this season, have already been hit with multiple injuries. Bogdan Bogdanovic will be out for about a month due to a hamstring injury, while De'Andre Hunter is questionable for Wednesday's game due to a knee injury. Dyson Daniels and Vit Krejci will also miss the game due to injuries.
Despite these setbacks, Atlanta coach Quin Snyder stated, "We can't control those things. The biggest thing we can try to do is execute in the things that we can. Do our best to overcome it and not point to it. The guys that we do have need to be ready to go."
One positive for the Hawks in their last game was the impressive performance of Jalen Johnson, who recently signed a five-year, $150 million contract. After a slow start to the season, Johnson scored a career-high 29 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists. Snyder praised his performance, stating, "When he's attacking the rim and making plays for other people, his offense has a way of coming to him. ... He found a real rhythm. That's the way we need him to play."
So far this season, Johnson has an average of 15.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and four assists per game.
Atlanta vs. Washington Recap JAN 29TH 2021
Taurean Prince scored 21 points, Kevin Huerter had 19, and the visiting Atlanta Hawks defeated the Washington Wizards 137-129 on Monday night.
Overall, nine Atlanta players scored in double figures, including all five starters. Prince made 7 of 10 shots from the field, including 5 of 7 3-point attempts.
Omari Spellman (16 points, 10 rebounds), John Collins (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Trae Young (10 points, 10 assists) made multifaceted contributions for the Hawks.
Collins got his double-double in just 16 minutes of first-half action. He sustained what the team called a "facial laceration" in the second quarter and did not return.
Atlanta repeatedly hurt the Wizards with its success in 3-point shooting. The Hawks made 49 percent (20 of 41) from long range, and that was the difference.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with a game-high 27 points while Jeff Green added 26 and Trevor Ariza had 25.
The Washington defense continued having problems. In the team's previous game on Saturday, the Wizards gave up 73 points in the first half as the Milwaukee Bucks produced a 131-115 victory.
Atlanta burned the Washington defense in the first half Monday. The Hawks used a 14-2 run for a 35-20 lead after the first quarter.
The Hawks threatened to turn the game into a blowout in the second quarter. Young made two free throws about five minutes in that gave Atlanta a 51-32 lead before the Wizards began to come back.
Green led the way with seven points as Washington cut the deficit to two in the final minute before Atlanta escaped with a 61-57 halftime lead.
The Hawks took over again in the third quarter. They scored the first eight points of the period and later stretched the lead to 94-76 when Vince Carter nailed back-to-back long 3-pointers.
Washington bounced back again after that. The Wizards went on a 13-3 run that cut the deficit down, but Atlanta still held a 99-89 lead after three quarters.
The Hawks tried to hold on in the fourth quarter, but the Wizards kept trying to get closer. Washington cut the difference to 116-111 when Ariza made a layup with just under six minutes remaining, but they couldn't catch the Hawks.