The Washington Wizards dominated most of their first round series with the Toronto Raptors, but they faced a rare playoff deficit in game 1 of the second round on Sunday. The Wizards came back from 11 down to to shock the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks 104-98 for the early series lead. Bradley Beal overcame a sprained ankle and scored 28 points to lead the comeback.
The Wizards remained unbeaten in five playoff games this season, and improved to 8-1 on the road in the last two postseasons, including 3-0 this year. With the win, they became the first team in NBA history to win four straight game 1's on the road.
John Wall had a double-double of 18 points and 13 assists in the Wizards' first game in a week since their sweep of the Raptors. Otto Porter Jr. hit two big shots in the fourth quarter to help hold off the Hawks, while Marcin Gortat hit a game-sealing layup with 14.6 seconds left.
The Hawks took their first-round series with the Brooklyn Nets 4-2, and led 37-26 at the end of the first quarter after shooting 64 percent from the field. They struggled in the final quarter, missing 23 of 28 shots and 9 of 10 from three-point range. The frustration built up on the Hawks when they had 5 offensive rebounds in one fourth-quarter possession, but came away with no points after missing six straight shots.
Atlanta got 24 points from DeMarre Carroll, 21 of which came in the first half. Carroll cooled off late and went scoreless in the fourth quarter. He was not the only Atlanta player to struggled from the field, as Al Horford finished 7 of 19, Kyle Korver 5 of 15, and Jeff Teague 4 of 14.
After their hot-shooting opening quarter, the Hawks finished 38 percent from the field on the night, including 25 percent over the final 2 quarters.
The Wizards got veteran production off of their bench, as Paul Pierce had 19 points and Drew Gooden added 12. Game 2 of the series will take place in Atlanta on Tuesday night.
The Wizards remained unbeaten in five playoff games this season, and improved to 8-1 on the road in the last two postseasons, including 3-0 this year. With the win, they became the first team in NBA history to win four straight game 1's on the road.
John Wall had a double-double of 18 points and 13 assists in the Wizards' first game in a week since their sweep of the Raptors. Otto Porter Jr. hit two big shots in the fourth quarter to help hold off the Hawks, while Marcin Gortat hit a game-sealing layup with 14.6 seconds left.
The Hawks took their first-round series with the Brooklyn Nets 4-2, and led 37-26 at the end of the first quarter after shooting 64 percent from the field. They struggled in the final quarter, missing 23 of 28 shots and 9 of 10 from three-point range. The frustration built up on the Hawks when they had 5 offensive rebounds in one fourth-quarter possession, but came away with no points after missing six straight shots.
Atlanta got 24 points from DeMarre Carroll, 21 of which came in the first half. Carroll cooled off late and went scoreless in the fourth quarter. He was not the only Atlanta player to struggled from the field, as Al Horford finished 7 of 19, Kyle Korver 5 of 15, and Jeff Teague 4 of 14.
After their hot-shooting opening quarter, the Hawks finished 38 percent from the field on the night, including 25 percent over the final 2 quarters.
The Wizards got veteran production off of their bench, as Paul Pierce had 19 points and Drew Gooden added 12. Game 2 of the series will take place in Atlanta on Tuesday night.
