The Washington Wizards are set to face off against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This matchup has significant implications for both teams as they navigate their respective seasons. As of now, the Wizards hold a record of 16-40, while the Hawks are at 28-31.
This game marks the third encounter between the two teams this season, with both having won one game each so far. The Hawks claimed a victory in their first meeting, winning 132-113 on November 25, while the Wizards took home the win in the second matchup with a score of 131-116 on December 6.
The Wizards are coming off a disappointing 129-112 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, snapping a brief two-game winning streak. They have shown some signs of competitiveness, going 4-5 in February, but have struggled overall with a 24-32 record against the spread (ATS).
In contrast, the Hawks are looking to regain their footing after a 115-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday, where they successfully covered as 9.5-point favorites. However, Atlanta has lost four of their last six games, demonstrating inconsistency with a 28-31 ATS record.
For this game, the odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook indicate a significant favorite in the Hawks at -800, suggesting a bet of $800 to win $100. The Wizards, however, offer more appealing odds at +550, where a $100 bet would yield $550 if successful. The spread is set at Wizards +12.5 and Hawks -12.5, with the total over/under at 235.5.
In terms of personnel, the Wizards will be without key players including Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell, while the Hawks may face challenges as well, with Jonathan Kuminga listed as questionable due to a knee issue.
The prediction for the game leans towards the Hawks winning 120-112. Yet, a recommendation is to avoid heavy betting on either team due to the high risk, particularly considering the current odds. Betting on the Wizards +12.5 may be a more strategic play, as Atlanta’s struggles offensively could lead to a tighter contest than expected.
With Atlanta scoring fewer than 117 points in their last five games and the Arizona defense showing improvement lately, taking the under on a high total of 235.5 could also be prudent. Given these insights, this matchup is shaping up to be intriguing for both teams as they seek to improve their standings as the season progresses.