Atlanta Survives A Pierce Dagger, Advances To Eastern Conference Finals
The lasting memory of this semi-final round will be the clutch shot making of Paul Pierce and how he single handedly tried to beat back the Atlanta Hawks with his 37 year old jump shot. With Pierce, it’s easy to get caught up in the arrogant melodrama that has always bookended his talent. But Pierce’s greatness- love him or hate him- is that he backs up almost all of his loud masquerading with the dagger to the heart. What he does on the court in the closing seconds of games is part of his legend and is what makes him such a formidable enemy.
Friday night was no different. Pierce was less than average all game long, scoring only 4 points. But that is neither here nor there, Pierce looking pretty ragged and tired. It’s not the game in its entirety that matters when it comes to Paul Pierce and his on court brilliance. It’s the last seconds of games.
These are the facts: Al Horford missed a free throw that would have given the Hawks a four point lead with only seconds left. Down by three, John Wall dribbled on the wing, passed it to Pierce who dribbled some more, then shook off Kyle Korver. Pierce launched a three as he was falling backwards, nearly into a fan’s lap. The basket was good. The game was tied. The clock had expired.
Everyone’s heart was in their throat. Even Pierce’s. If he got the shot off in time, the game would go into overtime. If he didn’t, the Atlanta Hawks would be in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time ever.
May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shoots as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the first half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
With tension as thick as clouds, both sides, the Wizards and Hawks, were immersed in the replay shown on the big screen at the Verizon Center. The groans from the crowd was proof enough a few seconds later. The ball didn’t leave Pierce’s hand in time. The officials peered over their monitors but they were just confirming the obvious.
The Truth and his season was over. John Wall had a valiant comeback from injury to try to carry the Wizards into the third round. Bradley Beal was a work horse in this series. But it was the Hawks who were going to play the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals, the first time ever.
The Hawks celebrated. DeMarre Carroll who had a great game, 25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, called the game tying shot that came a tenth of a second too late, a gift from the “basketball Gods.”
What DeMarre Carroll was too humble to say was his effort was responsible for the win. When the Hawks and Wizards were tied at 89 apiece and the Wizards were doubling Paul Millsap, it was Carroll who slashed untouched in the lane.
Jeff Teague who was brilliant all game long- 20 points, 7 assists– found Carroll for the easy layup. Then, when the Hawks were up by two, in a nearly identical play, Teague found Carroll again for the easy basket in what is the trademark Atlanta Hawks identity, read the defense, move without the ball, wait for Teague to find you.
Most of the game was in the Hawks control. They had double digit leads as their defense at the rim was tremendous. Once again the bigs for the Wizards came up small. The front court combination of Pierce, Nene and Gortat had 11 points on 18 shots. While the Hawks front court of Carroll, Millsap and Horford had 58 points on 43 shots.
The Hawks made a statement in this series that size is not necessarily the overwhelming advantage up front. Desire and effort are just as important as the few inches (and pounds) the Hawks are giving up. With the exception of game 3, the Hawks frontcourt played harder than the Wizards big guys.
In his post-game interview, Jeff Teague called Paul Millsap, “the engine of our team. If he plays well, we play well.” Millsap was tremendous, particularly in the second quarter. He had 10 points and a last second shot that gave the Hawks a six point cushion going into the half.
Millsap’s energy on both ends sustains the Hawks even when they go through their dry spells. His focus never wavers, even when the Hawks have blown a double digit lead; Millsap rarely, if ever, panics.
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At this point, what we can say about Kyle Korver is that his shot is broken. He missed all seven of his three pointers but his defense on Pierce was very good and he blocked a shot. But he mishandled an inbounds pass and had two other turnovers and it was on Korver that Pierce launched his dagger three.
The irony of the last play was staggering, 34 year old Korver guarding 37 year old Pierce. Korver the three point talent with the disappearing offense, and Pierce, the aged veteran drilling these crazy clutch shots. It was almost a role reversal. Korver shot 28% from three in the series. Paul Pierce shot 48% from three in the series.
And yet, while the Korver offense did impact what the Hawks wanted to do for much of the series, the Hawks found a way to rise above it and do what was expected but what no one would put money on. The team that won 60 games and 19 games in a row, the team without a superstar and with a coach and his questionable decisions, earned a trip to a place they have never been before, the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Atlanta Hawks are 4 games away from the NBA Finals. Some would say it’s been a dream season.
But, the Washington series tells a different sort of tale. Dreams are those things you want but you don’t really work for. The Hawks worked hard to get to their Cleveland matchup. It’s not a dream that they survived the Washington Wizards. It’s reality. It’s the truth and not the Paul Pierce version. The Hawks are four wins away from the improbable.