Wizards-Hawks Preview

(AP) - The streak is over.

The way opposing teams approach the Atlanta Hawks isn't likely to change anytime soon.

For the first time in more than a month, the Hawks practiced Tuesday looking to bounce back from a loss. Defense was the main focus after New Orleans romped to a 115-110 victory the previous night to snap Atlanta's 19-game winning streak.

"Our guys understand that it's time to get back up and play," coach Mike Budenholzer said as his team prepared for Wednesday night's visit from the Washington Wizards.

The Hawks equaled the fifth-longest single-season winning streak in NBA history, a run that began two days after Christmas and included a 17-0 mark in January. Along the way, Atlanta built a double-digit lead in every victory but one, knocked off the other five Eastern Conference teams with winning records, swept the season series with Western powerhouse Portland, and went 9-0 on the road.

The streak carried the Hawks (40-9) to the best record in the NBA, though they again dropped percentage points behind Golden State with the loss to the Pelicans.

There was a raucous celebration in the Big Easy after the horn sounded.

"It was fun to see them celebrating like they won the championship. I couldn't believe it," guard Jeff Teague said with a smile. "Now we know we've got a target on our backs. We've got to come out and play hard every night."

That's taken some getting used to.

"A lot of our guys probably haven't been in this position before," center Al Horford said. "People are coming after us. We're very aware that everyone is bringing their `A' game. It's an adjustment. But that's the good thing about the NBA. It's a long season. You've got time to build good habits and know how to handle different situations."

The streak was special, but it really wasn't an anomaly. The Hawks have won 33 of 36 after a 7-6 start, building a comfortable lead in the East and landing Horford, Teague and Paul Millsap in the All-Star game.

The Hawks are set to host the Warriors in a much-anticipated showdown Friday, but they'll first try to get by Washington (31-18) again.

Atlanta has already beaten the Wizards twice, including a 120-89 rout Jan. 11 that might've been the most impressive performance during the streak. Kyle Korver led eight players in double figures with 19 points as the Hawks shot 16 of 31 from 3-point range.

Washington finds itself nine games back of Atlanta for the Southeast Division lead after dropping three in a row, with the last two both coming by four points. The Wizards, who haven't suffered four consecutive defeats since Dec. 6-14, 2013, lost 92-88 at home to Charlotte on Monday.

"The key to tonight was that we don't play hard anymore," coach Randy Wittman said. "That falls on me. I'll take that. ... There are some good teams in this league that can get away with maybe coasting for a half, but we are not one of them."

Continuing to play through a sprained right ankle and migraine-like headaches, John Wall had 16 points and 10 assists for his sixth double-double in eight games. Bradley Beal finished with 18 points and a season-best 11 rebounds.

"We are not hungry," Beal said. "We are not the same team we were coming into training camp and to start the year off. I don't think we still have that same heart and desire to prove ourselves and put teams away and show that we are still about business."

The Wizards have averaged 92.8 points in dropping 12 of their last 13 visits to Atlanta.