Occasionally, the Wizards have been able rise up with competitive efforts in recent weeks, but the bottom line is 14 straight losses. Playing competitively two games in a row has been a step too far Adam Keefe's often-overmatched side. To wit: all but three loss margins in the current skid have come by double-digit margins. The Wiz have also played a road-heavy schedule but are 0-6 at Cap One Arena, where there is no homecourt edge. Meanwhile, the Hawks are a pleasant surprise, having won seven of nine and 8 of 11 thus far on the road, where they have extended margins (most recently by 17 at New Orleans last week), and doing this without Trae Young the past three weeks. Play Hawks.
The Wizards don't defend at all based on their 132 ppg allowed. These are ripe conditions for any Hawk player to go over on assists. The Wizards are also a bad rebounding team averaging a -10 at home. The Hawks 'only' get outrebounded by 3 on the road (-6 at home) so this is also a good spot for Hawk rebounders to have a better than average game. Onyeka Okongwu plays a lot of minutes even though he is listed as Kristaps Porzingis' backup. If this is a blowout they'd presumably sit Porzingis and Okongwu would play full minutes.
Trae Young (knee) will miss his 14th straight game for the Hawks. Over the previous 13 games without him, Jalen Johnson has averaged 23.0 points. That has included him scoring at least 24 points in six of his last seven games. HeтАЩs having an efficient season, shooting 56.2% from the field, 80.0% from the charity stripe and 41.5% from three. Look for him to stay hot against the Wizards, who have the worst defensive rating in the league.
Dybantsa amassed 11 points (3-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and four steals across 36 minutes during Friday's 139-132 loss to the Hawks.
Daniels finished Friday's 139-132 victory over Washington with 13 points (6-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, 12 assists and two steals across 34 minutes.
Okongwu registered 22 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and four steals across 33 minutes during Friday's 139-132 victory over Washington.
Dort racked up 25 points (9-15 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 32 minutes during Friday's 139-132 win over the Wizards.
Ayton chipped in eight points (4-5 FG), 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Friday's 139-132 loss to Atlanta.
Johnson supplied 23 points (9-16 FG, 5-10 3Pt), one rebound and one assist over 27 minutes during Friday's 139-132 loss to the Hawks.
Alexander-Walker finished with 28 points (7-20 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 10-10 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two steals across 33 minutes in Friday's 139-132 win over the Wizards.
George tallied 33 points (10-19 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 8-10 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two blocks over 39 minutes in Friday's 139-132 loss to the Hawks.
Ayton will start Friday against the Hawks.
Davis (ankle) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Hawks.
