Strong 4th Quarter Wins It For the Hawks

At times it wasn’t pretty and at times the Atlanta Hawks were afflicted by the same offensive and defensive mistakes and lapses that plagued them in Game 1 but they had enough in the tank to close the door in the fourth quarter and tie their series at 1-1 with the Washington Wizards.

Once again, DeMarre Carroll led the Hawks with 22 points. Paul Millsap and Al Horford chipped in, both with 18 points. Paul Millsap had 11 rebounds and Jeff Teague had 8 assists.

Because of a badly sprained wrist, John Wall was a scratch. Ramon Sessions, a February trade pick-up, was a good substitute, not as dynamic as Wall as a playmaker but Sessions’ quickness created mismatches as he repeatedly sliced through the Hawks defense and got to the rim. Or drained open threes.

Sessions and Bradley Beal had a dominant game for the Wizards backcourt (41 points, 63% from three, 8 rebounds, 11 assists).

Unable to make shots, the Hawks starting backcourt of Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver were disappointing and outplayed: 21 points, 29% from three, 13 rebounds, 10 assists.

But where the Hawks backcourt failed, the Hawks starting front court (Millsap, Horford, Carroll) came up big with 58 points, 21 rebounds and 15 assists. They dominated the Wizards trio of Paul Pierce, Nene and Martin Gortat.

May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) defends Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) during the second half in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 106-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

As has been the case in the playoffs, the Hawks started off the first quarter with a dominant effort of ball movement and shot making. They had 10 assists on 11 made baskets, shooting 50% and had an 8 point lead. Nothing unusual there; it’s the rest of the game that the Hawks struggle with.

In the second quarter, the Hawks 10 point lead evaporated because of turnovers, lazy perimeter defense and missed shots. The Hawks had a nervous four point half time lead.

Enter Ramon Session once again. If he wasn’t drilling it from deep he was arching a floater high off the back board. To start the third he had back to back triples that cut the Hawks lead to one but unlike Sunday the Hawks responded with offense of their own. Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll made threes to give the Hawks a 5 point lead.

By design or perhaps by accident, the Hawks gave up open threes by doubling out of the post. Their collapse in the middle created a victory of sorts. Nene, the Wizards starting forward, missed all of his shots. But, the Wizards perimeter shooters were left wide open for buckets they drained and as the game went on Mike Budenholzer made very few adjustments to this strategy, even as it was failing.

The third quarter was a dance. The Wizards would drain a three and cut the lead to two. The Hawks would storm back with a shot of their own to extend the lead and get some breathing room. Then the Wizards struck again. With two minutes left in the third, Otto Porter’s three tied the score at 71-71.

Kent Bazemore, who has had a difficult post season scoring the basketball, answered back, draining a three with a minute left. Al Horford added a jumper giving the Hawks a 5 point lead going into the 4^th.

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The miserable 4^th quarter of the last game hung in the air as the Hawks began the last period with Kyle Korver, Kent Bazemore, Al Horford, Dennis Schroder and Pero Antic.

• Bazemore turnover (11:37)
• Bazemore free throws (11:20)
• Antic shot blocked (10:52)
• Schroder missed layup (10:39)
• Horford dunk (9:55)
• Horford missed jumper (9:29)
• Schroder missed jumper (8:54)
• Horford layup (8:17)
• Horford jumper (7:29)

The Hawks had a seven point lead, and despite some miscues, were controlling the pace as the quarter reached the halfway mark. The Wizards were fully invested in a shoot-threes-or-die offense to close the gap but the closest the Wizards would come was within six when Ramon Sessions knocked down a free throw.

May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) collides with Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) during the second half in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 106-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

• Millsap jump shot (5:39)
• Antic three pointer (5:01)
• Antic free throws (4:26)
• Korver three pointer (2:53)
• Millsap jumper (1:53)

The lead swelled to twelve. Paul Pierce made two shots in the fourth, both threes. The first three cut the Hawks lead to three. The second three cut the Hawks lead to nine. Neither of his shots were impactful in the rhythm of the game; nothing changed.

Only three players for the Wizards made shots in the 4^th quarter: Bradley Beal, Ramon Sessions and Paul Pierce.

Marcin Gortat, the Wizards starting center, will want to cover his eyes when he looks at his 4^th quarter. In two minutes he had a turnover, two missed shots and he fouled out the game. His 4^th quarter performance symbolized the Wizards struggles without John Wall making plays. The Wizards were as miserable on Tuesday night as the Hawks were on Sunday.

And so it is, that infamous saying: the playoffs don’t start until the home team loses.

The home team has lost. Now the Hawks go to Washington D.C. for two games, tied 1-1. The pressure has reversed, it is on the Wizards now to maintain their advantage.

The Hawks saved their season and championship hopes on Tuesday night. Now in Washington they have to return the favor. Beat the Wizards on their home floor, re-take home court. Stay focused on the prize.

Next: Hawks Need to Slow Down John Wall