Dennis Schroder called it a lucky shot, but Paul Pierce has been doing it for way too long for it to be lucky. Pierce banked in the game-winner at the buzzer to help the Washington Wizards hold off the Atlanta Hawks 103-101 for a 2-1 series lead on Saturday. The 21-footer sealed the win despite the Wizards playing without John Wall, and blowing a 21-point lead.
Pierce responded to the question of if he called bank by saying "I called game!"
The Hawks attempted a late rally, looking to become the second team in the last 15 years to trail by exactly 20 points between 7 and 8 minutes of the fourth quarter, only to come back and win. The Los Angeles Clippers did so against the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2012 postseason. Teams in that situation are now 1-802 in that span.
Pierce's shot was very similar to the buzzer-beater hit by Derrick Rose on Friday for the Chicago Bulls. The 37 year old former champion also had a buzzer-beater with the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals, which the Celtics lost in 7 games.
Wall missed his second straight game with fractures in his left hand and wrist, but was very vocal on the bench throughout the game, and very animated following Pierce's shot. Washington was able to avenge the absence of Wall and build a 21-point lead with 10 minutes left in the game. That barrage was led by Bradley Beal, who had 17 points and 8 assists on the night.
Pierce had 13 points in the win, including 3 of Washington's 10 three-pointers.
After falling behind, the Hawks would go on a 17-0 run to cut their deficit to three with 3 1/2 minutes left in the game. Former D-League player Mike Musclala hit the game-tying three-pointer with 14.1 seconds left. The Hawks rally was quickly stepped on when Pierce sank the winning shot.
Schroder and Jeff Teague each scored 18 points to lead the Hawks.
The series will remain in the nation's capital for game 4 on Monday night.
Pierce responded to the question of if he called bank by saying "I called game!"
The Hawks attempted a late rally, looking to become the second team in the last 15 years to trail by exactly 20 points between 7 and 8 minutes of the fourth quarter, only to come back and win. The Los Angeles Clippers did so against the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2012 postseason. Teams in that situation are now 1-802 in that span.
Pierce's shot was very similar to the buzzer-beater hit by Derrick Rose on Friday for the Chicago Bulls. The 37 year old former champion also had a buzzer-beater with the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals, which the Celtics lost in 7 games.
Wall missed his second straight game with fractures in his left hand and wrist, but was very vocal on the bench throughout the game, and very animated following Pierce's shot. Washington was able to avenge the absence of Wall and build a 21-point lead with 10 minutes left in the game. That barrage was led by Bradley Beal, who had 17 points and 8 assists on the night.
Pierce had 13 points in the win, including 3 of Washington's 10 three-pointers.
After falling behind, the Hawks would go on a 17-0 run to cut their deficit to three with 3 1/2 minutes left in the game. Former D-League player Mike Musclala hit the game-tying three-pointer with 14.1 seconds left. The Hawks rally was quickly stepped on when Pierce sank the winning shot.
Schroder and Jeff Teague each scored 18 points to lead the Hawks.
The series will remain in the nation's capital for game 4 on Monday night.
