Atlanta Hawks vs Washington Wizard NBA Preview and Prediction 2/28/23
- Lm Tipster
- Feb 28, 2023, 8:46:26 AM
Odds
| Time | 7:30 p.m. EST |
| Hawks money line | -245 |
| Hawks spread | -6 (-110) |
| Wizards money line | +205 |
| Wizards spread | +6 (-110) |
| Over / under | 234 |
2022-2023 season stats
| Atlanta Hawks | Washington Wizards | |
| Record | 31-30 | 28-32 |
| Road / home record | 17-12 | 14-19 |
| Streak | W2 | L2 |
| Points per game | 116.00 | 113.00 |
| Points allowed per game | 116.00 | 113.00 |
| Rebounds per game | 47.00 | 43.00 |
| Rebounds allowed per game | 43.00 | 45.00 |
| Over / under record | 34-26-1 | 27-31-2 |
Preview
On February 28, the Washington Wizards will visit the Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena. The Wizards are looking to snap their two-game losing streak, while the Hawks are trying to build on their two-game winning streak. With a 6-point spread in favor of the Hawks, this game has the potential to be an exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference teams fighting for playoff spots.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have had a somewhat disappointing season so far, with a record of 31-30, which currently puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. They have been particularly inconsistent at home, with 17 wins and 12 losses at State Farm Arena. They will need to improve their form if they are to secure a higher seed in the playoffs and make a deep run.
Offensively, the Hawks have been led by point guard Trae Young, who is averaging a team-high 27.0 points per game and 10.2 assists per game. Young has been one of the best players in the league this season and has been the driving force behind the Hawks' offense. Center Clint Capela has also been a key contributor, averaging 11.2 rebounds per game, which is the third-best in the league.
Defensively, the Hawks have been solid this season, allowing an average of 111.7 points per game, which ranks 11th in the league. They have been particularly good at defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot just 34.7% from beyond the arc, which ranks fourth in the league. If they can continue to defend the three-point line well, they will have a good chance of limiting the Wizards' offense.
One area where the Hawks have struggled this season is turnovers. They are averaging 14.9 turnovers per game, which is the ninth-worst in the league. Additionally, they have been inconsistent from beyond the arc, shooting just 35.9% from three-point range, which is the 21st best in the league. If they hope to cover the -6 point spread and win the game, they will need to take better care of the ball and shoot the ball more efficiently from long distance.
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards have had a mixed season so far, with a record of 28-32, which currently puts them in tenth place in the Eastern Conference. Their away record has been particularly poor, with just 14 wins and 19 losses on the road. They will need to improve their form if they are to climb up the standings and secure a spot in the playoffs.
Offensively, the Wizards have been led by center Kristaps Porzingis, who is averaging a team-high 22.8 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. Porzingis has been one of the most consistent players for the Wizards this season and has been a key part of their offense. Guard Monte Morris has been the primary ball-handler for the Wizards and has been effective in distributing the ball, averaging 5.3 assists per game.
Defensively, the Wizards have struggled this season, allowing an average of 118.7 points per game, which is the second-worst in the league. They have been particularly poor at defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot 38.2% from beyond the arc, which is the worst in the league. If they hope to win against the Hawks, they will need to improve their defense and limit the Hawks' outside shooting.
One area where the Wizards have been strong is their rebounding. They are averaging 45.2 rebounds per game, which is the fourth-best in the league. They have also been one of the best teams at getting to the free-throw line, averaging 26.7 attempts per game, which is the third-best in the league. If they can capitalize on these strengths, they may have a chance to upset the Hawks.
BETTING TRENDS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games.
Washington are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games against Atlanta.
Washington are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games against Atlanta.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games on the road.
Washington are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta.
Atlanta are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games against Washington.
Atlanta are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home.
Atlanta are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference conference.
Prediction
The Hawks have a stronger overall record and have been playing well recently, while the Wizards have been struggling to find consistency. With Trae Young leading the charge, the Hawks have the potential to dominate the game and cover the -6 points spread.
Porzingis is currently day-to-day with an injury and may not be available for the game against the Hawks. If he is unable to play, the Wizards will have to rely on other players to step up and fill the void.
In addition to Porzingis, the Wizards have Monte Morris, who is averaging 5.3 assists per game and is an important facilitator for the team's offense. Unfortunately, Morris is also day-to-day with an injury and may not be available for the game against the Hawks. Without his playmaking abilities, the Wizards may struggle to generate scoring opportunities and keep up with the Hawks' high-powered offense.
Defensively, the Wizards have been struggling this season, allowing an average of 113.9 points per game, which is one of the highest in the league. They will need to tighten up their defense if they hope to compete against the Hawks, who are known for their explosive offense led by Trae Young.
In conclusion, while the Wizards have a talented offense led by Kristaps Porzingis and Monte Morris, their lack of consistency and defensive struggles may prove to be their downfall in the game against the Hawks. Additionally, if Porzingis and Morris are unable to play, the Wizards may have a difficult time generating scoring opportunities and keeping up with the Hawks' high-powered offense. All of these factors indicate that the Hawks are the better team in this matchup and have a good chance of winning and covering the -6 points spread.
PICK: Hawks -6 (-110)
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