How Hawks match up against Wizards

By Sekou Smith

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

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AJC File Marvin Williams and the Hawks dominated the Wizards last season, winning all four matchups.

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• Notable: Wizards All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas dazzled in his team's season-opening 102-91 win over the Mavericks in Dallas. Arenas finished with 29 points and nine assists. He also proved that a nearly two-year layoff hasn’t done anything to diminish his explosive ways. With Arenas back in the lineup the Wizards expect to return to prominence in the Eastern Conference. "There is no question Gil brings that swagger," Wizards coach Flip Saunders told the Washington Post. ... Two youngsters the Wizards relied on heavily last season were not in Saunders' playing rotation in the opener. Nick Young did not play, the first time he's received a "DNP-Coach's Decision."  Second-year 7-footer JaVale McGee played just 42 seconds. ... While the Hawks' defensive struggles were highlighted in the win over Indiana Wednesday, their hot shooting didn’t get the proper notice. The Hawks shot a healthy 53 percent from the floor and an outstanding 58 percent (7-for-12) from beyond the 3-point line. "If you could shoot that efficiently from that distance all the time, you'd take it," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "I'm not overly concerned with our offense. Our defense is what I'm trying to make sure we have down."