Hawks' shaky shooting meets Wizards' second-ranked defense

The Atlanta Hawks (4-4) visit the Washington Wizards (4-3) on Wednesday night, and their uneven shooting meets a defense that allows the second-lowest effective field goal percentage in the league.

Atlanta's effective field goal percentage is 52.4, 21st in the league. Washington holds opponents to 48.8, second, so the Hawks' heavy 3-point diet has to land against one of the league's stingiest defenses.

The free-throw line offers no relief. The Hawks' free throw rate of 0.213 ranks 29th, and no team sends opponents to the line less often than the Wizards.

Turnovers are Atlanta's way in. The Hawks force one on 15.7% of opponents' possessions, second in the league, and Dyson Daniels averages 3 steals. Washington gives the ball away on 12.7% of its trips, eighth-best, so the pressure meets a careful offense.

Tempo splits the two as well. Atlanta plays at the league's fifth-fastest pace. Washington, 22nd, would rather walk it up, and it rarely gets a second shot: its offensive rebound rate of 20.8% is the worst in the league.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker carries the Atlanta scoring at 21.1 points a game. Jalen Johnson, questionable, adds 9 rebounds and 7.9 assists.

Anthony Davis anchors Washington with 23 points and 9.1 rebounds a game. Trae Young sets him up and averages 10 assists.

Atlanta's bench is thin. Keshon Gilbert and Jalen Wilson are doubtful, Mouhamed Gueye, Jock Landale and Henri Veesaar are out, and RayJ Dennis is questionable.

Washington lists Alexandre Sarr, who plays 25.4 minutes a game, as questionable, along with Anthony Gill. Jamir Watkins, Justin Champagnie, Tristan Vukcevic and Reece Beekman are out.

The Wizards have won two straight, the last a 103-94 win at Orlando after a 95-79 win over Charlotte. Atlanta won 108-104 at Indiana after a 121-99 loss at New Orleans.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET in Washington. Sportsbooks' prices give Atlanta a 56% chance to win; our projection, built on the players available, makes it even, with Washington at 50%.