NBA Basketball BETTING PREVIEW - Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks

NBA Basketball

2026-02-26 - Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks
United States : NBA Basketball
Thursday 26th February 2026 - Scheduled 7:30pm
12:30pm (British Time)

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Preview

They have made some trades that suggest the transition from a bottom feeder in the NBA to one that can challenge to make a post-season impact will speed up next season for the Washington Wizards (16-41). However, the remainder of this campaign will be one in which they dare not lose a Draft Pick that had been offered up, but which will only have to be moved from Washington if they finish high enough up the final standings.

They are only a single win better placed than the two weakest teams in the NBA so that looks unlikely.

Trae Young is potentially going to suit up for the first time for Washington since arriving in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks (29-31), although the status will be determined closer to tip off. Anthony Davis is another big arrival, but it has already been declared that he will miss the rest of the season and that just underlines the current mindset.

Washington have lost two in a row and they are short-handed at the moment, which makes this a tough game.

They are facing the Atlanta Hawks for a second time this week having been blasted at home by a team that is looking to get back into the Play In Tournament. Like others, the Hawks have already made some moves before the off-season that could set them up to be a lot better in the 2026/27 season and they have won three of the last four games to currently occupy the Number Nine Seed in the Eastern Conference, although knowing that the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks are not that far behind.

Atlanta have already seen the kind of impact those coming in can make for the team and the Hawks have really picked up their level of play on the Defensive side of the court. That is going to give them a real edge in this game if they can maintain standards being set, while preventing second chance points is also an edge held by the Hawks.

You would have to consider Atlanta a work in progress Offensively as new faces try and build up some rhythm and chemistry.

There have been some sign of that considering the Hawks have scored at least 115 points in those three recent wins, while the team will certainly feel they can have plenty of success against a Washington Defensive unit that has not always been as intense as needed.

In the win on Tuesday, Atlanta did not shoot the ball very well, but dominated on the boards and that allowed them to pull away for a comfortable win. It may need more of the same in this one, but the Hawks are going to be motivated and pushed by the home crowd and that can see them cover a big line.

Prediction

Lay the points with the home favourite.

The Pick :

Atlanta Hawks 115-102 Washington Wizards

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Atlanta Hawks - 11 Points at -110 with Bookmaker.EU