Hawks pay the Wizards a visit

This is the first of four meetings this season between the Southeast Division rivals. The Wizards won three of four from Atlanta in 2005-06 and have won eight of the last nine contests overall between the squads.

Atlanta has lost five straight after winning its last two at Washington.

Washington has dropped a season-worst four straight contests. On Saturday, Chauncey Billups scored 29 points, including Detroit’s final nine of the game from the free throw line, helping the Pistons to a 115-111 win over the Wizards at the Verizon Center.

All-Star Gilbert Arenas finished with 28 points and 10 assists, but also turned the ball over seven times in the loss to Detroit for the Wizards, who have dropped seven of their last eight games overall. Caron Butler ended with 25 points and Antawn Jamison contributed 22 before fouling out in defeat.

The Wizards, who play the middle contest of a three-game homestand, are 4-2 at home this season. They will host Adam Morrison and the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.

Atlanta enters tonight’s contest having lost five of its last six games overall. On Saturday, Dwight Howard had 11 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Orlando Magic to a 98-79 drubbing of the Hawks at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Rookie Shelden Williams finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Joe Johnson netted 16 in the loss to Orlando for the Hawks. Tyronn Lue and Salim Stoudamire both scored 14 points in defeat.

The Hawks are 2-3 on the road this season. After tonight’s contest, Atlanta returns home to host Charlotte on Wednesday and LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday at Philips Arena.