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Hawks continue playoff push gainst Wizards

Mar 17, 2008 - 1:14 PM Atlanta (28-38) at Washington (33-32) 7:00 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks continue their playoff push Monday when they visit the Washington Wizards.

Trying to reach the postseason for the first time since 1999, the Hawks are tied with the New Jersey Nets for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot with 16 games remaining. The Hawks' playoff drought is the longest in the NBA.

The Hawks visit the Nets on Wednesday.

Atlanta is coming off its second straight victory, a 109-98 decision over the New York Knicks on Sunday in the opener of a three-game road trip.

The Wizards are currently in sixth place in the East, four games behind fourth-place Cleveland in the chase for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Washington is eagerly awaiting the return of point guard Gilbert Arenas, who has been out since knee surgery on November 21. Arenas, who has been practicing with the Wizards for nearly two weeks, is slated to have an MRI on Monday.

The game will close out a five-game homestand for Washington, which has won three straight to climb over .500 for the first time since February 5.

The Wizards lead the series, 2-1. This is the final meeting between the teams.