The Wizards entered tonight's Thanksgiving game against the Atlanta Hawks looking for their first road win of the season. They left with their fourth 20-point blowout.
In a game that wasn't as close as the score indicated, the Wizards fell 116-96 to the Hawks, prolonging their road woes. The Hawks jumped on the Wizards late in the first quarter, led by 17 points at halftime and never looked back. They led by 26 points entering the final quarter, rendering the final 12 minutes as garbage time.
Atlanta won by absolutely dominating the paint. They outrebounded the Wizards 49-38, and that margin was greater prior to the fourth quarter. Josh Smith led the way with 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Hawks, absolutely dominating his matchup with Andray Blatche. Joe Johnson had 21 points, while Al Horford had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 21 points, but many of those came in the fourth quarter. Nick Young added 20 points off the bench, but nobody else really stepped up. John Wall looked noticeably slowed by injury, and Blatche and JaVale McGee were pushed around all night.
The Wizards are now 5-9 with the loss. Atlanta is now 9-7.