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Hawks hope to end skid vs. Wizards

Nov 19, 2008 - 11:21 AM Washington (1-7) at Atlanta (6-4), 7:00 p.m. EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks began the season on the top of the world. Now they are hoping to avoid crashing.

The Hawks will be looking to snap a four-game slide when they face the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

Atlanta started 6-0, based largely on a strong defense that held opponents to 89.5 points per game. That defensive effort has been absent of late, however, with the Hawks allowing 112.5 points over the last four contests.

Part of the problem has been an injury to forward Josh Smith, who has missed the past six games with a high ankle sprain. The front line took another hit on Tuesday when center Al Horford left the game against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter with a right ankle injury.

With Horford and Smith out, Atlanta was outscored 56-28 in the paint and allowed 55 percent (44-of-80) shooting in a 113-96 loss to the Pacers.

All-Star guard Joe Johnson has picked up the offensive slack for the Hawks, averaging 29 points over the last four games.

The Wizards started the season losing and have continued the trend, dropping back-to-back games to the Miami Heat after posting their lone win on November 12.

Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler combined for 46 points in Tuesday's 94-87 setback to the Heat, but the rest of the team has yet to find its rhythm on offense.