Wizards challenge Hawks in first Southeast division contest

October 30, 1:51 PMWashington Wizards ExaminerGeorge Panagakos

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While Nick Young (bottom left) torched the Hawks last season,
he and Atlanta's Jeff Teague (right) will likely fight for minutes
in tonight's game. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

The Washington Wizards will attempt to defeat the Atlanta Hawks on the road tonight in order to complete something which took Washington 73 games last season: a single win against the Southeast division.

After Washington kicked off the season last Tuesday by netting their first season opener win since the Wizards beat the Toronto Raptors to start off the 2005-06 season, the Wizards are ready to erase last season's horrific 1-15 Southeast division record.  It wasn't until March 25th, earlier this year, when Washington hosted the Charlotte Bobcats and came away with their one and only division victory.

Why is the Southeast so tough?  The Southeast division is comprised of the Orlando Magic, last season's Eastern champs, the Miami Heat, a young, speedy team led by Dwyane Wade and Jermaine O'Neal, the up-and-coming Charlotte Bobcats, led by Gerald Wallace, and the Atlanta Hawks, from Mike Bibby at point to Joe Johnson at shooting guard/forward to Al Horford and the Smiths up front and even Zaza Pachulia at center. 

The Wizards are winless in their last six contests against the Hawks, and over the preseason Washington suffered when facing a dominant, speedy point guard like Mike Bibby.  Sure, Bibby might not be a jet, but he's crafty and has a nose for the basket, a little bit like Wizards assistant coach Sam Cassell used to play back in his day.  If Washington can contain Bibby and Johnson, which is not impossible given Caron Butler's ability to defend the ball at small forward, Washington might be able to extend their 82-0 campaign.

Atlanta beat the Indiana Pacers 120-109 Wednesday night in Game 1 of their season schedule, however, the Hawks gave up two 30-point quarters to Indiana in the first half.  Atlanta clamped down in the second half, particularly the fourth quarter, to extinguish the Pacers' hopes for a win, and Atlanta's starters finished the game with an amazing average of 18.2 points and 4.6 assists.  Talk about efficient.

Tonight's 7:30 p.m. game against the Hawks will air live on Comcast SportsNet and 106.7 The Fan.  Check your local listings.

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