Game Thread: Wizards @ Hawks -- 1.13.24

[Jamaaliver]

The lost season continues....

[Jamaaliver]

I hope we sit Trae...

[jayu70]

I hope we sit Trae...

We should with knee and shoulder injuries since December.

[Jamaaliver]

The Washington Wizards (6-31) are set to close their quick two-game road trip in Atlanta when they take on the Hawks (15-22) on Saturday night. Here's everything you need to know.

DEFENDING THE POINT OF ATTACK

The Hawks have a deep and talented roster, but their guard play is what drives them. With a one-two attack led by Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, they almost always have a dynamic playmaker on the court who can pick apart opposing defenses.

The last time these two teams met (New Year's Eve -- D.C.), Young and Murray were playing in top form. Young poured in a game-high 40 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 shooting from deep to go along with 13 assists and three steals. He was in control from start to finish, doing what All-Star point guards do.

Murray was effective on the possessions where the ball wasn't in Young's hands. He scored 32 points on an efficient 13-of-21 shooting from the field.

Keying in at the point of attack will surely be a main focus for the Wizards on Saturday night in Atlanta. Staying in good position on Young and Murray, defending without fouling, and navigating pick-and-rolls will all be crucial.

FINISHING DEFENSIVE POSSESSIONS

No matter how good the initial defense is, the possession doesn't flip until the defensive rebound is secured. And the Hawks are at the top of the league in making that hard on opponents. They average the league's most offensive rebounds per game (13.1) and are top-10 in second-chance points (15.9).

Most of their success on the glass is led by Clint Capela, their 29-year-old center. On New Year's Eve against the Wizards, he put up an 11-point, 19-rebound double-double, with seven of those rebounds coming on the offensive end of the court.

Look for the Wizards to get a body (maybe two) on Capela as soon as the shot goes up.

POOLE AND KUZMA TAKING CONTROL

Jordan Poole is coming off of arguably his best game in a Wizards uniform. On Wednesday night in Indiana, he put up a game-high 28 points on an efficient 11-of-21 shooting from the field to go along with seven assists, four rebounds, three steals, and only one turnover. His comfort level on his new team continues to improve as the weeks go by.

Kyle Kuzma didn't find the same individual success in that game against the Pacers, but in his last matchup with the Hawks, he exploited Atlanta's defense and took advantage of mismatches to the tune of 38 points and five assists.

To counteract the Hawks' high-powered offense, the play of Poole and Kuzma will be pivotal.

[jayu70]

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[dms269]

Does anyone want to make shots as is everyone cool with having a negative +/-.

[New_Hawks_Era]

Team looks depressed

It's apparent that some sort of change/trade or mix up needs to happen in the very near future. This is going nowhere fast