Final
Hawks-Wizards Preview
Mar 22, 2016 - 6:28 PM The Washington Wizards began the week by staying hot and cooling off the Atlanta Hawks.Looking to move above .500 for the first time in four months, the Wizards can extend their season-high winning streak to six by sweeping this home-and-home series with the visiting Hawks on Wednesday night.
John Wall had 27 points and 14 assists and Bradley Beal scored 25 as Washington (35-35) snapped Atlanta's five-game win streak with Monday's 117-102 victory. The Wizards, last above .500 at 6-5 on Nov. 24, are 1 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
''We know our backs are against the wall with what we're trying to accomplish,'' Wall said. ''We've just got to keep grinding and competing.''
The Hawks (41-30) lost for just the third time in 13 games as they remain in the mix with Miami and Charlotte for the top spot in the Southeast Division. Atlanta last dropped two straight during a three-game skid Feb. 19-22.
After hitting half of their shots in each of the previous two contests, the Hawks made 48.7 percent Monday. However, they missed all five 3-pointers while being outscored 28-16 in the fourth quarter.
''(The Wizards) were very aggressive,'' said Hawks center Al Horford, who finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. ''They were all over us, a lot of pressure.''
Atlanta also couldn't handle the Wizards' hot shooting, with Washington hitting 50.5 percent overall and 13 of 25 from beyond the arc.
''It wasn't one of our better nights,'' coach Mike Budenholzer said. ''I'm sure (Washington) had a lot to do with that.''
The Wizards have averaged 111.2 points and shot 49.1 percent in the last five games. Monday marked the first time during the streak that an opponent reached 100 points or shot better than 40.5 percent.
''This probably is the best stretch we've ever played, to be honest,'' Wall said.
The star point guard has totaled 51 points in two games and averaged 12.2 assists in the last six. He's averaged 23.5 points in the past four regular-season games against the Hawks, and recorded 25 assists while the teams split this season's first two meetings - both at Atlanta.
After winning for the second time in 16 regular-season games at Philips Arena, Washington returns home where it's won three in a row and nine of 10.
Though the Hawks won the last two matchups at Washington en route to a six-game second-round playoff series victory last year, they've dropped four of five regular-season matchups there.
Jeff Teague averaged 21.3 points and 7.3 assists in the three playoff games at Washington last season. He also scored 28 in the Hawks' most recent regular-season victory at the Verizon Center on Nov. 25, 2014.
Teague had 23 points Monday.
Teammate Tim Hardaway Jr. has averaged 19.0 points and gone 11 of 16 from beyond the arc in the last three.
Kyle Korver, however, has scored 10 while attempting just five 3-pointers and making two against the Wizards this season. His only points Monday came while hitting one of those two chances.
"We've got to find a way to get Kyle cleaner, more free,'' Budenholzer said.
- ATLANTA: 122
WASHINGTON: 101
Final
Mar 23 9:20 PM - ATLANTA: 122
WASHINGTON: 101
End of Regulation
Mar 23 9:17 PM - End of 4th Quarter.
Mar 23 9:17 PM - ATLANTA: 120
WASHINGTON: 101
4th Quarter - 0:27
Mar 23 9:17 PM - ATLANTA: 81
WASHINGTON: 75
3rd Quarter - 0:03
Mar 23 8:45 PM - End of 3rd Quarter.
Mar 23 8:45 PM - End of 1st Half.
Mar 23 8:02 PM - ATLANTA: 52
WASHINGTON: 56
2nd Quarter - 0:20
Mar 23 8:02 PM - End of 1st Quarter.
Mar 23 7:34 PM - ATLANTA: 22
WASHINGTON: 25
1st Quarter - 0:09
Mar 23 7:34 PM - ATLANTA: 0
WASHINGTON: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Mar 23 7:11 PM - Al Horford vs. Marcin Gortat (Paul Millsap gains possession)
Mar 23 7:11 PM - ATLANTA: 0
WASHINGTON: 0
Final
Mar 23 7:11 PM
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