Atlanta Hawks: Biggest X-Factors for Game 5 vs. the Washington Wizards

For a team to win, role players must step up. Which of the supporting cast members will make their mark during Game 5?

The Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards have played four games and are tied 2-2. In such a close series, players who are not stars will have to make a stamp in order to put their team above the opposition. John Wall and Bradley Beal are expected to make plays; in fact, if they failed to impact the game, the loss would be blamed on them.

Role players make or break a playoff series. For the Hawks and Wizards so far, neither bench has been able to put together a full series of effective play. Which role players are most likely to make big plays during a decisive Game 5?

Washington Wizards: Kelly Oubre Jr.

The sophomore reserve wing has played with extreme energy off the bench for the Wizards. But, with Otto Porter Jr. limited with a neck injury, his role may be even larger in Game 5 and beyond.

So far, Oubre’s two most memorable moments haven’t even come on the court. While commenting on Paul Millsap and Markieff Morris‘ developing rivalry, Oubre told media that “Keef is better than (Millsap)”. In another instance, he was fined $25,000 for punting the ball into the stands after a Game 2 win.

Over the first four games, Oubre’s Plus/Minus, or how teams perform with a certain player on or off the court, has been -11.3. This is by far the worst mark by any player on the Wizards, trailing Bojan Bogdanovic‘s -6.0 mark by a substantial amount.

Replacing, or helping replace Porter, whose 4.5 Plus/Minus leads the team, will be a feat Oubre could possibly step into. In Game 3, he played one of the worst games of any player in the series so far.

In only 23 minutes, he scored 9 points on a poor 3-11 shooting clip and fouled out. All three of the shots, however, were three-pointers. From three-point land, Oubre shot an effective 3-7. He also grabbed 5 boards and nabbed two steals in the Wizards loss. With this, Oubre showed that his impact on the game can be monumental when he is on.

Through three games, he showed a willingness to shoot the three (4-11 3PT), and has hit at a consistent level. Averaging 4.25 fouls is excessive, but represents a player who goes all out, almost to a fault.

If he can kindle his energy into positive play for the Wizards, Oubre could be the piece that finishes the Hawks off.

Atlanta Hawks: Ersan Ilyasova and Thabo Sefolosha

When the Hawks traded for Ilyasova at the 2017 Trade Deadline, the playoffs were surely in their plans. So far in his first series as a Hawk, he has done what one would expect. Rebounding the ball well and shooting are his primary skills.

Over 4 games, Ilyasova has shot only 41.2 percent from the field. He has yet to knock down a three pointer, while attempting 1 a game.

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While his 6 rebounds per game ranks third on the team, his shooting is nearly equally important. Ilyasova acts as a pseudo-Millsap; a good all-around big whose game is not overly reliant on athleticism, but more on basketball IQ.

If his shot could fall at a more consistent level, the Hawks would be an even harder team for the Wizards to battle over seven games.

Ilyasova has produced in his time on the court; the same cannot be said for Thabo Sefolosha. He has played a total of 9 minutes over three games, or three minuscule minutes per game.

Over the course of the regular season, Sefolosha was quite possibly the best wing player on the roster. Alongside Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard, he was arguably the third part of the best defensive frontcourt in the Eastern Conference.

With Sefolosha injured, the Hawks turned to a combination of Taurean Prince and Mike Dunleavy Jr. at the small forward position. This has translated to both playing playoff minutes, as Sefolosha sits. Many fans have questioned the intent of the coaching staff, and no questions have been answered. Sefolosha has been fully cleared of any injury problem, yet has not rejoined the rotation.

Next: Bench Play In Game 1 and Game 2

If Sefolosha does play meaningful minutes for the Hawks, expect a new facet of the team to be displayed.