PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Friday Dominator
(NBA) Atlanta vs. Washington,
Money Line: -142.00 Washington (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -142.00 Washington (Home)
Result: Loss
Forget that the Hawks went 60-22 during the regular season and Mike Budenholzer was named coach of the year.
The Hawks aren't any better than the Wizards right now and Budenholzer isn't coaching any better than Randy Wittman, who I regard as one of the weaker playoff coaches.
Atlanta is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games. The Hawks were lucky to win 82-81 at home two nights ago in Game 5 after they blew an 11-point fourth quarter lead. They are 1-5-1 ATS following a victory.
Washington is 5-0-1 ATS the past six times after a loss. The Wizards are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games versus opponents with a winning record and 12-3-2 ATS during their last 17 overall games.
The Wizards have matured and are better than a year ago when they fell at home in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference to the top-seeded Pacers and were eliminated. Washington is 3-1 at Verizon Center in the postseason this year compared to 1-4 during the playoffs last season. John Wall and Bradley Beal are better than they were a year. The Wizards didn't have veteran Paul Pierce last season and Otto Porter wasn't making major contributions like he is now in his much improved second season.
Wall played for the first time in four games in Game 5. He was rusty, but still put up 15 points and seven assists while learning to adjust with a broken non-shooting hand. Wall should be more effective in today's game.
The Hawks struggled to get past the Nets in the first round. They have yet to put together a solid four-quarter game, are on the road and have a disadvantage on the boards and at point guard with Wall returning for Washington. That's enough to get the Wizards a Game 6 victory.
The Hawks aren't any better than the Wizards right now and Budenholzer isn't coaching any better than Randy Wittman, who I regard as one of the weaker playoff coaches.
Atlanta is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games. The Hawks were lucky to win 82-81 at home two nights ago in Game 5 after they blew an 11-point fourth quarter lead. They are 1-5-1 ATS following a victory.
Washington is 5-0-1 ATS the past six times after a loss. The Wizards are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games versus opponents with a winning record and 12-3-2 ATS during their last 17 overall games.
The Wizards have matured and are better than a year ago when they fell at home in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference to the top-seeded Pacers and were eliminated. Washington is 3-1 at Verizon Center in the postseason this year compared to 1-4 during the playoffs last season. John Wall and Bradley Beal are better than they were a year. The Wizards didn't have veteran Paul Pierce last season and Otto Porter wasn't making major contributions like he is now in his much improved second season.
Wall played for the first time in four games in Game 5. He was rusty, but still put up 15 points and seven assists while learning to adjust with a broken non-shooting hand. Wall should be more effective in today's game.
The Hawks struggled to get past the Nets in the first round. They have yet to put together a solid four-quarter game, are on the road and have a disadvantage on the boards and at point guard with Wall returning for Washington. That's enough to get the Wizards a Game 6 victory.
