PHOTO CREDIT TO Atlanta Hawks TWITTER

By: Bryce Sparling (@1788sports, @BryceS89)

In a the 2nd game of a back-to-back, the Hawks showed why they’ll be competing for the #1 draft pick in the 2018 NBA draft. A lack of effort, consistency, focus & defense absolutely plagued the Hawks in the 2nd half of what can only be described as an awful sports day for many Georgians.

The start of the game was, to put it simply, pitiful. Neither team could hit the broadside of a barn and exchanged airballs and bricks. Missed layups, ugly 3’s and inconsistent jumpers littered the 1st qrt of this game. Starters Luke Babbitt and Dennis Schroder combined for an 0-6 effort from the field in the 1st. Taurean and Bazemore were about the only bright spots in the 1st combining for 2-3 from 3pt range. Despite the bad start, Atlanta was still in it after 1, 19-20 Wizards.

Not much changed in the 2nd. Atlanta’s offensive woes carried over, unfortunately Washington’s did not. Dennis, in what might be his worst game as a Hawk, went 0-4 from the field in the 2nd with a couple of TO’s. Washington’s Markeiff Morris continued to bug the Hawks in the 2nd going 3-4 from the field, including a 3. Atlanta saw the deficit increase to 7 points. Washington lead 42-49 going into halftime.

Once again, the Wizards barely outplayed the Hawks in the 3rd, but it was enough to extend their lead even further. Dennis continued his poor shooting night going 2-7 from the field and getting rejected twice in the paint. Babbitt also added an impressive 0-4 shooting display in the 3rd, while missing 2 corner 3’s. Morris and Otto Porter Jr continued to consistently hit their shots, combing to 4-4 from the field, including 2 3pt’s. Hawks down 67-76 at the end of 3.

This is when it got bad. Despite holding Washington’s starting 5 to 0 points, Atlanta saw the Wizard’s lead increase…..a lot. Former Hawk Mike Scott added 6 points to Washington’s total and helped propel them to a 37 point quarter. Bud rolled out the bench in a game that was quickly getting out of reach. Washington took the victory from Atlanta, 113-94. Atlanta’s next game is in New Orleans on Tuesday at 8pm.