Southeast Division foes will battle when the Washington Wizards (22-39) go head-to-head against the Atlanta Hawks (19-44) at Capital One Arena. Washington opened as a 3-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 245.5 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards Betting Preview
The Hawks got blown out by the Memphis Grizzlies in their last outing, 127-88, despite being 2-point favorites. Atlanta’s Kevin Huerter had a good game, finishing with 13 points and five rebounds. Memphis made 14 of their 32 three pointers (43.8 percent). Atlanta, on the other hand, was 9-35 (25.7 percent). The two teams combined to put up 215 points, which finished well under the projected point total of 240.
In the Wizards’ last game, they were handily beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers, 125-104, and were unable to cover as 7-point underdogs. Bradley Beal was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points on 10-for-29 shooting. Portland did an excellent job of making free throws (28-32; 87.5 percent). Washington, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (8.2 vs. 13.6). The two teams collectively scored 229 points, which came in well under the O/U total of 244.
These two teams have already met twice this season, each winning once. Trae Young scored a game-high 45 points in the most recent game, in which the Hawks beat the Wizards 152-133, covering as 1-point favorites. He also had 14 assists and six rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 285 points, which was 44 points above the projected point total of 241 points. Atlanta had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.6 vs. 18.2). Washington, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (38-42; 90.5 percent).
Games including these teams have a tendency to go over the projected point total. Atlanta games have gone over 58.7 percent of the time, while 59.0 percent of Washington games have gone over. The Wizards have the superior straight up (SU) record (22-39 vs. 19-44) and a slight edge against the spread (ATS) (31-29-1 vs. 29-33-1).
The aggressive Washington offense looks poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Wizards rank ninth in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.207, while Atlanta ranks 29th in FTA rate allowed (0.231). It could also be a sloppy game for the Hawks’ offense, which ranks 29th in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.8 percent). They’ll be going up against the stingy defense of the Wizards, which forces the fourth-most turnovers in the league (14.7 percent).
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards Prediction
Free Pick: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
The Wizards rank 10th in second chance points per game (13.6) while the Hawks rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (15.2).
Washington ranks 11th in assists per game (25.5) while Atlanta ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (24.8).
Washington ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (5.0) while Atlanta ranks 28th (6.4).
Atlanta ranks 23rd in rebounds per game (43.0) while Washington ranks 28th (42.0).
Washington is 16-13 ATS at home, while Atlanta is 10-21 ATS on the road.
The total has gone over in 19 of the Hawks’ 31 road games, while 15 of the Wizards’ 29 home games have gone over.
When allowing under 100 points, Atlanta and Washington are both 4-0.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Hawks are 19-36 and the Wizards are 20-37.
The Wizards rank 15th in fast break points per game (13.3) while the Hawks rank 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (14.6).
Atlanta ranks third in points in the paint per game (50.4) while Washington ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.9).
The Wizards rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while the Hawks rank 27th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.6).
The Hawks rank eighth in three pointers attempted per game (35.7) while the Wizards rank 13th in three pointers allowed per game (33.4).
Washington ranks 10th in steals per game (8.0) while Atlanta ranks 28th in steals allowed per game (8.9).
Bettings Trends:
Washington is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in its last five games.
Over its past five games, Atlanta is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
The Wizards’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 4.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 118.0 points per game (6.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 124.2 points per game (5.0 above their season average).
