Atlanta Hawks vs Washington Wizards Picks and Predictions October 28th 2024

Hawks vs Wizards October 28th 2024

The Washington Wizards (0-2) will travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks (2-1) in a Southeast Division matchup. Tip-off is set for 7:30 ET at State Farm Arena.

According to oddsmakers, the Hawks (-321) are currently favored by 8 points over the Wizards (+258). The over/under line for the game is sitting at 233.5 points. MNMT will televise the game.

Wizards vs. Hawks Key Information

The Wizards fell to 0-2 on the season after a 135-116 loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday. Washington, who were +9.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread at home. The total score of 251 points exceeded the pre-game over/under line of 227.5 by 23.5 points.

A key moment came when the Cavaliers went on a 12-0 run, turning a 61-55 lead into 67-61. Washington couldn’t recover, as Cleveland outscored them 38-28 in the 3rd quarter and 38-35 in the 4th.

Bilal Coulibaly led the Wizards with 23 points and 6 rebounds, hitting 4 threes at 44.4% in their loss to the Cavaliers. He shot 56.2% from the field, while the team managed just 38.5% overall.

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Jordan Poole also connected on 4 threes, shooting 57.1% from deep and finishing with 14 points, 11 of which came in the 2nd quarter. Kyle Kuzma added 14 points, despite shooting 18.8% from the field.

The Wizards struggled defensively against the Cavaliers, giving up 135 points while allowing Cleveland to shoot 53% from the field. Washington’s defense was particularly vulnerable in the 3rd and 4th quarters, where they allowed 38 points in each.

From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers hit 18 threes at a 46% clip. The Wizards also sent Cleveland to the line 34 times, where they made 23 free throws. Washington finished with 28 defensive rebounds, 6 steals, and 9 blocks.

The Hawks dropped to 2-1 on the season after a 128-104 road loss to the Thunder on Sunday. Atlanta entered the game as +11 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread, losing by 24 points. The total score of 232 points narrowly exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 229.

Atlanta started strong, leading 27-23 after the 1st quarter, but the Thunder went on an 11-0 run, swinging the score from 58-53 to 64-58. The Hawks were down just 89-86 going into the 4th quarter but were outscored 39-18 in the final period.

Bilal Coulibaly led the Wizards with 23 points, hitting 4 threes at 44.4% in their loss to the Cavaliers. He also added 6 rebounds, shooting 56.2% from the field. Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma each contributed 14 points, with Poole knocking down 4 threes at 57.1%.

As a team, the Wizards made 15 threes, shooting 34.9% from deep and 38.5% overall. Coulibaly scored 9 points in the 4th quarter, while Poole added 11 in the 2nd.

The Hawks started strong defensively, giving up just 23 points in the 1st quarter, but they struggled in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing 34 and 32 points, respectively. Things got worse in the 4th, where they gave up 39 points, leading to a 128-104 loss to the Thunder.

Overall, Atlanta allowed Oklahoma City to shoot 49% from the field and 40% from three, with the Thunder hitting 16 threes. The Hawks also sent the Thunder to the free-throw line 32 times, where they converted 24. Defensively, the Hawks recorded 7 steals and 4 blocks.

Coming in as the underdogs at +8, we have the Wizards as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 233.5, and our model predicts the Wizards and Hawks to score a combined 265 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Top Draft Picks Face Off as Wizards Visit Hawks

The Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks are set to clash on Monday, showcasing the top two picks of the 2024 NBA draft — Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher and Washington’s Alex Sarr. This matchup marks their first head-to-head meeting, adding excitement to an otherwise early-season game as both young talents seek to establish themselves.

Risacher and Sarr: Rising Stars of the Draft Class

The Hawks made Risacher the first overall pick, and he’s already finding his place on the court. After a career-high performance of 13 points and six rebounds in his first start on Sunday, Risacher is averaging 8.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. The 19-year-old forward acknowledges the adjustment period in his early NBA games, saying, “I’ll be better and better and better.”

Meanwhile, Sarr, who was picked second by Washington, has started the Wizards’ first two games and contributed an average of 7.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and solid defensive presence with multiple blocks in each game. Sarr’s quick rise as a dependable rim protector has brought him recognition, becoming the first rookie since 2000 to record consecutive multi-block games in his first outings.

Team Dynamics and Recent Performances

The Hawks come into Monday’s game following a 128-104 loss to the undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite Trae Young’s impressive stats — averaging 30.7 points and extending his consecutive games with at least five assists to 164 (the third-longest streak in NBA history) — the Hawks have room for improvement. Turnovers have been an issue, with Young committing 10 turnovers against the Thunder, contributing to the team’s overall struggles.

Injuries have impacted Atlanta’s lineup, with forward De’Andre Hunter (right knee inflammation) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (right hamstring) sitting out Sunday’s game. Their potential absence could place additional scoring and defensive responsibilities on the young core, including Risacher, who will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back set.

The Wizards, still seeking their first win, have had a rocky start, dropping games to the Boston Celtics (122-102) and Cleveland Cavaliers (135-116). Despite the losses, Washington has shown promising flashes, particularly in the first halves of both games. Coach Brian Keefe highlighted this after the Cavaliers game, emphasizing, “We’ve shown we can be consistent against high-level teams… but we need to do it for longer.”

Wizards’ Struggles and Key Players

A bright spot for Washington has been Jordan Poole, who scored 26 points in the season opener, while Bilal Coulibaly chipped in with a career-high 23 points against Cleveland. However, star forward Kyle Kuzma has struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 28.1 percent from the field, including a dismal 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. Given Kuzma’s importance to the team as last season’s scoring leader, a return to form could be critical for the Wizards to secure their first win.

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A Youth-Driven Matchup

With Washington fielding the NBA’s youngest opening night lineup, the youthful energy has been both promising and challenging. The starting group, consisting of Poole, Coulibaly, Kuzma, Sarr, and Bub Carrington, averages just 22.7 years. This lineup, while loaded with potential, will need time to gel and deliver consistent performances, particularly in the second half of games.

Atlanta has the upper hand in recent matchups, winning 12 of their last 15 games against the Wizards, including three of four last season. Both teams will look to rely on their young talents, aiming to establish consistency as the season progresses.

Key Matchups and Game Outlook

• Trae Young vs. Jordan Poole: Both guards are scoring threats, but Young’s playmaking and Poole’s aggressive shot creation will likely define the pace of the game.
• Zaccharie Risacher vs. Alex Sarr: Fans will be watching closely to see how the top two picks compete, especially with Sarr’s defensive presence and Risacher’s promising scoring.
• Kyle Kuzma vs. Atlanta’s Defense: Kuzma’s shooting slump has hurt Washington’s offensive flow. A strong performance from him could lift the Wizards against an Atlanta defense missing key players.

Both teams have struggled to find a rhythm this season, but the youthful rivalry between Risacher and Sarr adds an exciting storyline. Atlanta aims to capitalize on its recent dominance over Washington, while the Wizards will seek to play more complete games as they search for their first victory.