The Wizards kept their losing streak alive Friday night, despite returning to the Verizon Center, where Washington has been much better this season. John Wall and the gang have lost seven straight, a streak the team hopes to end tonight against Joe Johnson and the visiting Hawks.
Atlanta is coming off a thrilling last-second win against the Clippers. Al Horford hit a pair of free throws with less than a second remaining to give the Hawks a one-point victory.
The trip to the line came courtesy of a trip to the hardwood, as Blake Griffin planted Horford squarely on his tailbone in a last-ditch defensive effort. As a result, Horford will not play against the Wizards tonight. He said before the game that he did not know at the time if he would even be able to shoot the free throws.
The Wizards, meanwhile, spent their Friday night welcoming Gilbert Arenas back to the Verizon Center. With the way Dwight Howard (and to a lesser extent, Ryan Anderson) dominated the Wizards inside, Washington has to be happy to have Horford out of the lineup. Up front, they'll look to contain smaller forwards in Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
Another thing to watch is the minutes for Trevor Booker. He played less than 25 against the Magic, but racked up six blocks and six rebounds in that time.