Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2015 NBA Playoffs, Eastern Conference Second Round Game 3 – May 9, 2015

The Atlanta Hawks avoided a 0-2 hole in this series after defeating the John Wall-less Washington Wizards in Game 2. Atlanta, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, now aims to get the series lead when it travels to the nation’s capital this coming Saturday. Will the Hawks prevail in Washington? Or will the Wizards take the driver seat again in this series.

Read on for more about this game below. You can also click here for the preview of Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs series between the Warriors vs. Grizzlies.
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Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards Predictions Game 3 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, 5:00 PM ET, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards– view all NBA lines

Game 4 – May 11, 7:00 PM ET, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards

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

[sc:NBA240banner ]After a bitter loss in Game 1, the Hawks finally got their first win of the second round of this postseason when they defeated Washington on Tuesday, 106-90. Having tied the series, the Hawks fly to Washington, where they are 2-0-1 ATS in their last three trips.

The Hawks’ offense in Game 2 was much better than in the series opener. They shot 43.5 percent on Tuesday, which was a significant improvement from their ugly 37.8% shooting in Game 1. But if there’s one thing that has remained consistent for the Hawks, it’s their crisp passing. Atlanta had 27 assists in the series opener and dished out 30 in Game 2. The Hawks have been finding good looks at the basket in this series because of their passing, which is something they have to capitalize on moving forward.

Jeff Teague paced the team in assists on Tuesday with eight dimes but went for just 3-of-12 shooting from the field. Teague has scored just 20 points over the Hawks’ last three games but so long as he’s locating open teammates, he’s going to be a valuable weapon for Atlanta against the Wizards.

One player who’s been lights out from the field for Atlanta in these playoffs is DeMarre Carroll. Carroll, who scored 22 points in Game 2, is averaging 22 points over Atlanta’s last six games.

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Betting on the Washington Wizards

The Wizards tried to mimic the Clippers in Game 2–win a game without their starting point guard–but failed. Without John Wall, who sat out the contest due to a left wrist injury, Washington came up short in its attempt to go up 2-0 in the series. Nevertheless, the Wizards are going home for Game 3 with the series tied. They are 8-2 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.

In lieu of Wall’s absence, coach Randy Wittman inserted Ramon Sessions in the starting unit. Sessions played well, finishing the game with 21 points and four assists. Sessions’ big game, however, doesn’t mean that Washington will be just right without Wall. Apart from being a better scorer, Wall is also a tougher defender than Sessions. With three days of rest before Game 3, Wall will have a long break to get back to full strength and play this coming Saturday. Wall is averaging 17.4 points and 12.4 assists thus far in these playoffs.

Wall’s backcourt partner Bradley Beal, on the other hand, scored 20 points in Game 2 on an inefficient 8-for-22 shooting from the field. Don’t expect Beal to get gun-shy moving forward, though, as Washington’s offense is mainly sourced from its backcourt that averages 45.8 points per game this postseason. Beal is the Wizards’ leading scorer thus far these playoffs with an average of 17.9 points per game.

Washington is 4-1 SU in its last five home games against the Hawks.

Writer’s Prediction

Atlanta wins, 105-101.
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