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Atlanta Hawks Playoff Preview: Round One vs. Washington Wizards

By Andrew Snyder

Nov 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) and Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) reach for a loose ball during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) and Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) reach for a loose ball during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) encourages Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Raptors won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) encourages Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Raptors won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Key Players

John Wall

You knew this guy was going to be at the top of the list. In any other season, Wall’s play might have garnered him MVP consideration. Of course we’re living in a world of offensive explosion and Kawhi Leonard leading a team of role players to 60 wins, so Wall’s season has largely gone underappreciated.

If there was any question about his standing among point guards in the league, Wall answered those questions this season. Wall averaged 23.1 points and 10.7 assists per game on 45.1 percent shooting and 32.7 percent from outside.

His blend of scoring, passing, and defense is unmatched. Russell Westbrook and James Harden have the passing and scoring, but they can’t defend like Wall. Wall could very well lock down Dennis Schroder in this series, swinging things in Washington’s favor. He’s that good.

Bradley Beal

Wall’s backcourt partner had himself a breakout season. Bradley Beal has always had immense potential. His health has been the big issue. Coming into 2016-17, Beal had played in 63 games and 55 games respectively in the last two seasons. That’s 46 missed games over two seasons.  This season he has finally stayed healthy. Beal also proved that he isn’t just a shooter; he’s an all-around scorer.

Beal averaged 23.1 points per game (tied with Wall for best on the team) on 48.2 percent shooting and 40.4 percent from three-point range. He’s arguably had a better offensive season than Klay Thompson. That’s how good Beal has been in 2016-17.

Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha will hope to slow down Beal, but the Hawks don’t really have a perimeter defender that can contain him. One area where Beal has significantly improved his game is getting to the free-throw line.

Beal gets to the line 4.4 times per night, the highest total of his career. A healthy Beal in this series  that is active and attacking the basket makes the Wizards a heavy favorite, in my view.

Otto Porter Jr.

Otto Porter Jr. erupted this season. The fourth-year wing averaged 13.4 points per game on 51.6 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from outside. That’s outstanding production and efficiency from your fourth scoring option.

Porter is a key cog in Washington’s excellent starting lineup. Their five-man group consisting of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Porter, Markieff Morris, and Marcin Gortat was plus 8.6 points per 100 possessions when playing together this season. Porter’s emergence is a large reason why.

Porter’s outside shooting makes it difficult to pack the paint against Washington. If you clog the lane to stop John Wall and Washington’s bigs from scoring at the rim, he can zip a pass to the corner where Porter is usually waiting to calmly knock down a three-pointer.

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