Washington Wizards Win Sloppy Contest Against Atlanta Hawks
By Ben Mehic
Washington Wizards desperately needed a win and got one – albeit a sloppy win – on national television against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Washington Wizards have been a top offensive team for most of the 2016-17 NBA season, but recently, they’ve literally lost their touch.
Scott Brooks has gotten the most out of the talent he’s been provided, with virtually everyone in the starting lineup experiencing career-seasons, but Washington’s slipped, losing games that should’ve been won, at least on paper.
After holding the second seed, the Wizards are back down to third, 2.5 games behind the Boston Celtics. Washington once held a comfortable lead on the Toronto Raptors, but the recent losses have put the Raptors within a game of the Wizards.
On Wednesday night, the Wizards had the opportunity to bounce back on national television against the Atlanta Hawks – another Southeast Division foe looking to creep up the standings before the NBA Playoffs begin next month.
Missing both Kent Bazemore and All-Star forward Paul Millsap, the game should’ve been a cakewalk for the healthy Wizards.
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Instead, their offensive struggles continued, turning the game into a back and forth scrap – like a heavyweight boxing match between two fighters who clearly didn’t work on their cardio before bout night.
Washington made exactly 40 percent of their shots, with Atlanta trailing at 39.5 percent.
When it mattered, though, the Wizards got a major lift from their star backcourt tandem – John Wall and Bradley Beal.
The two combined for 50 points. Wall added 10 assists. Perhaps most impressively, Wall got to the free throw line 12 times. Beal also shot 9 free throws.
Their aggression was enough to overcome the Hawks late, 104-100.
The win wasn’t pretty, but after suffering numerous disheartening defeats, Washington will take any win they can get.
The Wizards will have to finish at least 7-4 to reach the 50-win mark for the first time since 1978. Their schedule post All-Star break has been road heavy, so it was important for the Wizards to secure another win at home on Wednesday.
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Washington will have another must-win game on their schedule Friday night against the Brooklyn Nets – widely known as the worst team in the league. If Washington wants to secure home court advantage for the postseason (and maintain any momentum), losing to the Nets isn’t an option.