Game 3: Atlanta Hawks Grades In Heartbreaking Defeat

May 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (7) in the first quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Good

• The entire bench gave the team and the entire city of Atlanta something to cheer for in a game where many had given up all hope for a comeback. Led by a confident, driving Schröder, the bench scored 33 points in the fourth quarter and had a collective 50 for the game. Credit the timely shooting from deep and getting to the foul line late against a lackadaisical Wizards second unit, who were going through the motions, allowing time to expire.

More from Soaring Down South

• Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
• Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
• When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
• Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
• Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal

• The Hawks didn’t even commit a single turnover during the last 12 minutes; the Wizards meanwhile had five. Though the efforts were ultimately for not at the end, the tenacious effort from the second unit provided the jolt needed to wake up the starters for Game 4 who more than likely felt embarrassed that they couldn’t establish a rhythm like the bench had.

Next: What Failed