Washington @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 27, 2017 ) Washington 99, Atlanta 113

The Washington Wizards are in a minor funk and look to emerge from it when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Washington has dropped four of its last five games and the woeful stretch includes losses of 24 points to the Charlotte Hornets and 23 to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Wizards are just 1-3 on a five-game road excursion that concludes in Atlanta and the showing is disappointing to coach Scott Brooks. "We haven't had a good trip," Brooks told reporters, "but we can make it better by taking care of business (against Atlanta) and go 2-3. It's not a guarantee but it can make our trip better." The Hawks own the worst record in the NBA and have dropped three of their last four contests after falling 121-110 to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. "We give the effort every night regardless of our record," Atlanta guard Kent Bazemore said after the setback. "That's a great foundation to becoming one of those playoff teams."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (26-22): Frustrations have boiled over during a stretch in which Washington hasn't looked much like a team that has two backcourt All-Stars. Shooting guard Bradley Beal attempted to single-handedly defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday -- he had 41 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in the 121-112 setback -- while point guard John Wall (21 points, 12 assists versus the Thunder) sees the need for a turnaround before the All-Star break arrives. "We definitely need a win," Wall told reporters. "And try to get yourself some type of momentum. Going to the break and relax and get everybody healthy as much as possible and give ourselves one big push to end the season."

ABOUT THE HAWKS (14-34): Bazemore knocked down four 3-pointers and scored a season-high 26 points on Friday, falling two shy of his career best set against the Miami Heat two seasons ago. "Kent was great," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said afterward. "Made a lot of plays, made a lot of plays for his teammates, got hot, shot the ball well. When he's playing like that it gives us a boost. He's got such a great spirit. When you get him going, it fuels everybody." Bazemore has posted three 20-point outings this month after having just four entering January.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams have split two meetings this season but the Wizards have won four of the past six matchups.

2. Atlanta PG Dennis Schroder had just 11 points on Friday and is only 31-of-84 from the field over the last five games.

3. Washington SF Otto Porter Jr. is just 6-of-19 shooting over the past two games.

PREDICTION: Wizards 113, Hawks 107