The Washington Wizards currently share the Eastern Conference’s best record at 5-1 with three others teams. Will they continue their winning ways against an Atlanta Hawks squad that they beat last week?

Catch this game live on November 2, at 7:30 AM, Manila time.

Away: Washington Wizards (5-1, 2-1 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Spencer Dinwiddie
  • SG: Bradley Beal
  • SF: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • PF: Kyle Kuzma
  • C: Montrezl Harrell

The Wizards are rolling and are currently on a three-game win streak. Their hot start has been led by Bradley Beal’s scoring, as he’s averaging 24.4 PPG in five games played so far this season – and he dropped 27 on the Hawks when they played a few days ago. Beal isn’t carrying the team alone, though. They’ve been getting some solid contributions from the three guys that they got in return for Russell Westbrook in Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. 

Harrell in particular has been a revelation, and he’s playing at the same level that he was at during his Clipper days. He’s averaging 19.3 PPG and 10.2 RPG and brings his signature hustle to every game. He’s also dropped at least 20 points in his last three games, including 25 points and 13 rebounds against the Hawks. Kuzma and KCP also had 21 points against the Hawks, and they’re collectively showing that the three of them are worth more than a single player, no matter how great Westbrook can be on any given night.

Washington will also have the services of Spencer Dinwiddie, who was missing due to a planned absence in the previous game against Atlanta. He’s been having a solid season so far with 19.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 5.6 APG.

The Wizards are currently 5-1 against the spread this season, and are even on the over/under at 3-3.

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Home: Atlanta Hawks (3-3, 2-0 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Trae Young
  • SG: Bogdan Bogdanovic
  • SF: De’Andre Hunter
  • PF: John Collins
  • C: Clint Capela

Last year’s Eastern Conference finalists are having a bit of a tough time out of the gate, and find themselves at .500 and currently on a two-game losing streak. That currently puts them in ninth place in the east, and even though Trae Young is still averaging 22.3 PPG and 10.0 APG, he’s struggled with his shot – especially his three. He’s currently shooting 42.9% from the field and 29.0% from deep. While he’s still been masterful at orchestrating their offense, the Hawks need him to start having big scoring games again too. It’s not like he hasn’t done so yet this season, having hit at least 31 points twice, and 24 points once. 

Four other Hawks are scoring in double figures: Cam Reddish (16.2 PPG), John Collins (16.0 PPG), Bogdan Bogdanovic (11.5 PPG), and De’Andre Hunter (10.6 PPG).

The key battle in this game will be the rebounding race. While Harrell plays hard for the Wizards, Collins and Capela combine for 20.3 RPG and they’ll need every single one of those rebounds to stop the Wizards from getting second chances. Capela’s interior defense will also be put to the test against a Wizards team that fields plenty of personnel that can attack the basket.

The Hawks are 2-4 ATS so far this season, and 2-4 on the over/under.

PREDICTION:

Spread: I think the Wizards are still being slept on so far this season, even after such a hot start. They should be able to keep it close and cover the +5.5.

Over/Under: Both of these squads can score in bunches. I think Trae Young has a bounce back game and shoots better, helping hit the over 221.5.

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