Entering the 2014 season, the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks had very different expectations placed upon them. After a summer of front-office scandals, the Hawks were not expected to be much despite making a little playoff run last season. The Washington Wizards were returning with a stacked roster and expected to contend for the East throughout the year. Half way through the season, the Wizards are living up to their end while the Hawks are taking everyone by surprise.
With the All-Star game approaching, the Atlanta Hawks are currently sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference, something that has not happened since the 1993 season. However, Atlanta is on a seven-game win streak winning 21 of their last 23 including a dominating Western Conference road trip. The Hawks chalk their success up to coaching and team chemistry as they are averaging 102.5 points on offense right now.
Much of that offensive success is coming from a solid mix of starters and bench players. Point Jeff Teague continues to dominate on the court while averaging 17.5 points and 7.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Kyle Korver continues his sharp-shooting ways, leading the NBA with 314 catch-and-shoot points. He also leads the NBA with a 51.7 3-point shooting percentage.
Those numbers will be tested against a Wizards team that tops the NBA with a 39.7 3-point shooting percentage as a team. John Wall is also competing for the best point guard in East as he averages 17.2 points for the Wizards along with 11.6 points per drive. The Wizards will also be benefitting from the return of Bradley Beal who had been coming off the bench the first time the Wizards faced the Hawks this year. He is healthy following wrist surgery while shooting 47.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Atlanta got the best of Washington in their first meeting this season on the road. Teague put up 28 points while being credited for 20 drives that led to 24 points for Atlanta. Wall helped with 21 points and 13 assists, but created seven turnovers.
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