Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards: Game Two Matchup to Watch
The Atlanta Hawks dropped a tough Game One to the Washington Wizards. Which position matchup could decide Game Two?
The Atlanta Hawks got punched in the mouth in Game One.
In the nation’s capital on Sunday afternoon, the Washington Wizards came out in front of their home fans and played an energetic brand of basketball. They were faster, stronger, and tougher than the Hawks, and seemed to want the win more.
And there was one position matchup that really helped the Wizards establish physical and mental dominance in the series. It is also a matchup that the Hawks were expected to win without many issues.
The power forward battle between Paul Millsap and Markieff Morris has emerged as the matchup to watch early in this series.
In Game One, Morris was clearly the better player. The former Kansas Jayhawk finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, but his impact was far beyond those numbers, even.
While Morris was a great threat for the Wizards on offense, he seemed to break Millsap. Morris used his 6-foot-10, 245-lb. frame to push Millsap around. Every chance he got, Morris was getting a piece of Millsap and chirping in his ear. Instead of responding, Millsap let Morris into his head.
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Millsap was regularly complaining to the officials about foul calls instead of fighting to get respect from Morris. He still finished with 19 points, but Millsap was physically a non-factor. He was not hitting the boards hard (finishing with two boards) and was not aggressive on either end. Morris simply wanted it more than him. And that is not acceptable for the Hawks.
In Game Two, Millsap must be prepared to fight a war with Morris and play some of the same games. He must try to get into Morris’ head, as Morris did with him, and discourage him on both ends of the floor. Millsap must take the initiative and go straight at Morris. His offense is so vital to the Hawks’ success that he must be a reliable force on that end.
Millsap can also not allow Morris to have a field day on offense. Morris was a dynamic offensive presence, on the inside and outside, in Game One. If Millsap can impose himself with his own offense, that may take steps towards wearing Morris down to neutralize his offensive game.
This battle is one that was very fun in Game One. But it is one that the Hawks cannot afford to lose.
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Millsap is Atlanta’s best player and cannot be outplayed by a guy that may be the fifth-best player on his own team. Yes, Morris’ size makes him a tough out for Millsap. But the mental warfare is what gave Morris the real advantage. And if Millsap can block out those external factors and just play, he will win this battle.