The Atlanta Hawks back up center Zaza Pachulia is a game-time decision for Wednesday's home opener against the Washington Wizards with a sore shoulder. Larry Drew told the media before the game that Pachulia woke up with pain in his shoulder and went to the doctor this afternoon to have it checked. Pachulia was out testing the shoulder in pregame warm-ups to see how he felt before a decision will be made on his playing status.
Drew expressed transition defense as one of the key points for Wednesday's game citing that the Wizards were a top five team last season in fast break points. He was extremely pleased with the effort defensively that he saw from his club in Tuesday's win over the Nets. He said that he and his coaching staff had been "preaching to the team" about being a better defensive club for some time.
Drew also cited the play of the bench who came in and played with a lot of energy and enabled Drew to rest his starters before Wednesday's game against the Wizards.
Kirk Hinrich and Donald Sloan will be inactive for the game.
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