The Truth called game alright. Paul Pierce banked home the buzzer-beating game-winner in Game 3 to save the Wizards from a near-catastrophic fourth quarter collapse. Washington will now aim build a commanding 3-1 series edge in Game 4 at home, but it could still be missing the services of star point guard John Wall. Can the Wizards manage another big home win without Wall? Read on below for our preview of Game 4.
The West’s No. 1 seed Golden State is also down a 2-1 hole heading into Game 4 on the road. Check out our preview of the Warriors vs. Grizzlies.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards Predictions Game 4 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – May 3, Washington Wizards 104 at Atlanta Hawks 98
Game 2 – May 5, Washington Wizards 90 at Atlanta Hawks 106
Game 3 – May 9, Atlanta Hawks 96 at Washington Wizards 98
Game 4 – May 11, 7:00 PM ET, Atlanta Hawks (-4) at Washington Wizards (+4); total 199.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 5 – May 13, TBD, Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks
Game 6* – May 15, TBD, PM ET, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards
Game 7* – May 18, 8:00 PM ET, Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks
* If necessary
Betting on the Atlanta Hawks
It took three quarters, but the Atlanta Hawks finally woke up from their malaise to stage a roaring comeback in the fourth quarter of Game 3. Led predominantly by the reserves, the Hawks came all the way back from as many as 21 points down with 10 minutes left to tie the game up late.
Unfortunately, they came up just short in the end as they fell, 98-96. Atlanta is now 1-3 (straight up and against the spread) on the road in the playoffs.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Hawks’ frontcourt players had their issues in Game 3. Paul Millsap battled a case of the flu and was limited to just eight points and two rebounds. DeMarre Carroll (14 points) fell back down to earth and had his streak of six straight 20-point games snapped. And Al Horford had to sit out most of the fourth with a suspected knee injury, which turned out to be a false alarm.
But a welcome development in Game 3 was the play of their two point guards. After totaling just 38 points in the first two games, Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroeder combined for 36 points (18 each) as they made a more concerted effort to attack the rim. The Hawks as a team outscored the Wizards 50-32 in the paint.
Millsap’s recovery from the flu would give the Hawks a much-needed boost for Game 4. Millsap is one of the team’s leading postseason scorers at 15 points per game. Having Teague and Schroeder rediscover their aggressiveness should also work to Atlanta’s advantage, especially if John Wall misses another game.
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Betting on the Washington Wizards
Thank goodness for The Truth. Paul Pierce’s clutch jumper at the buzzer spared the Wizards from the embarrassment of blowing a 21-point fourth quarter lead in Game 3. The Wizards finally looked like they were missing John Wall, who was sitting out his second straight game with a broken left wrist, in the fourth as their offense stalled out.
But that shouldn’t take away from the Wizards’ excellent performance for the first three quarters. They were whupping the Hawks’ butt with the brand of basketball that made Atlanta so successful for much of the season.
Even without Wall, they were still racking up the assists by sharing the ball very well. They finished with 27 assists (eight from Bradley Beal) on 37 made field goals. That great ball movement gave the Wizards some Hawks-like scoring balance. Five players scored 13 or more points, with Beal, Nene, and Otto Porter all scoring 17 each. Porter has been stepping up big in this series, averaging 14 points, nine rebounds and two three-pointers per game off the bench.
Wall is still very questionable to play in Game 4, but the Wizards have shown they can hang with the Hawks even without their star point guard. However, they must receive contributions from everyone. The Wiz need Nene’s production, in particular, after he averaged just six points in his first six playoff games prior to Game 3.
The Wizards will also need to keep winning the three-point battle over the misfiring Hawks. Washington went 10-of-28 (36 percent), while Atlanta was only 7-of-23 (30 percent) in Game 3. Three-point shooting has been a major part of Washington’s arsenal in the postseason. They’re averaging 10.6 makes per game at a sizzling 43 percent clip, the best percentage out of the remaining playoff teams.
The Wizards are 3-0 (straight up and against the spread) at home in these playoffs.
Writer’s Prediction
Millsap’s return to health helps power the Hawks (-4) past the Wizards on the road.
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