Wizards vs. Hawks

While Washington is shorthanded without Trae Young and Alex Sarr (hamstring), an 8.5-point first-half spread is an excessive cushion against an Atlanta defense that ranks 24th in points allowed (118.3 PPG). We expect the Wizards' high-tempo youth core to remain competitive early against a Hawks squad that recently trailed Brooklyn by double digits and has already split the two previous meetings with Washington this season.