The Washington Wizards defeat the Atlanta Hawks 115-99 and advance to the second round of the playoffs after winning the series 4-2. The Wizards were led by their dynamic backcourt in this game as both John Wall and Bradley Beal combined for 73 points. After the home team dominated for much of this series, the Wizards were able to come in Atlanta and close out the series.
In the first quarter, the game was very much even as Atlanta was establishing Dwight Howard in the paint and Markieff Morris got things going early for the Wizards. After Atlanta’s first timeout, the Wizards went on a 9-0 run with 2:32 remaining in the first and led 26-16. However, tempers started to flare as the two teams got into it after Bradley Beal appeared to be pushed in mid-air after a fast break dunk by Kent Bazemore. A total of four technicals were handed out after players were separated and the quarter ended.
After the slight altercation, the game was officiated very tight in the second and there was a sense of tension between the two teams. That, however, didn’t stop Washington as their active defense frustrated Atlanta and allowed them to get out and run. The Wizards ended the half on a 19-4 run and led 64-46 thanks in large part to Atlanta’s 15 turnovers.
John Wall backs down, spins and dunks it down with the left! ?#DCFamily pic.twitter.com/jWypulSSTa
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 29, 2017
Although being blown out, the Hawks made this a game in the third quarter by coming out with a purpose. A heavy dose of Dennis Schroder and Paul Millsap gave Atlanta hope with an early 7-0 run to cut it to 68-53 with 8:45 left. Then, the Hawks continued to capitalize on Washington’s lazy play, as they ended the quarter on a 17-5 and outscored Washington 36-24 in the third to cut the lead to 89-82.
Entering the fourth, Kent Bazemore hit a corner three to cut the lead to two, but that was the closest Atlanta would get in this one. What happened next was a 19 point quarter put together by the Wizards John Wall. The Hawks had no answer for Wall as he hit two back-to-back buckets to put them up 97-90 with 7:33 to go. The dagger, however, was Wall’s and-1 with 59 seconds remaining to put the game out of reach at 113-99.
John Wall waves goodbye to the #Hawks fans ? pic.twitter.com/D05XL1x4Rc
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 29, 2017
Wall finished with a playoff career-high of 42 points as the Wizards closed out the series in a hostile environment. Now, the Wizards will move on and play the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
