This is a 10* GAME OF THE WEEK on the Hawks.

No need to overthink this one. I'm surprised by how well Washington is playing, but I think this sets up as "letdown/look-ahead" spot for the visiting side.

Washington is 5-1, but after a 115-112 double OT win at home over Boston on Saturday, and with a night off before a three-game home stand, this letdown + look-ahead spot = trap game.

Not only that, but this is an immediate revenge game for the 3-3 Hawks, which fell 122-111 to Washington just last week.

And with a tough game at Brooklyn on Wednesday, tonight's contest takes on added importance for ATL.

If the Wizards had a small letdown here, would anyone fault them?

Conversely, after their humbling 122-94 defeat at Philly on Saturday, I look for the Hawks to push the pace from start to finish.

Lay the points, the play is ATLANTA.

Good luck, NP