Written by Ava Wallace at Washington Post.com
The Wizards rode a dominant third quarter to a 114-107 victory in the opening game of their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday afternoon at Verizon Center.
John Wall led Washington with a playoff career-high 32 points on 12-of-24 shooting, Bradley Beal had 22 points and Markieff Morris added 21. Dennis Schroder led four Atlanta players in double figures with 25 points.
Here are three takeaways from Game 1:
1. The Wizards’ defense kept Atlanta in check
For a game in which the Wizards’ offense shined, particularly in the third quarter, its defense was steady and limited Atlanta’s opportunities. The Hawks shot 43.6 percent from the floor, and made just 28 percent of their three-point shots (7 of 25).
Schroder took 16 shots, more than any other Hawks player, and Paul Millsap had three more free throw attempts – 11 – than he did field goal attempts – 8. But Washington tempered a dangerous Atlanta offense, which ranks fifth in the NBA in points per game and came into the playoffs on a hot streak.
Wizards Coach Scott Brooks made transition defense a big point of emphasis heading into the series. Washington’s defense, particularly the first unit, did its job.
2. Washington’s third quarter was huge
The Wizards’ best stretch by a long shot came in the third quarter, during which Wall – with help from Morris – took over the game.
Morris began the period with a 24-foot three-pointer that tied the game at 48. After that, it was the Wall-and-Morris highlight show. Fans were treated to back-to-back dunks from Morris, both assisted by Wall, then Wall faking out his defender to drive through three Atlanta players for a reverse layup, and Wall shrugging his shoulders after sinking a 25-foot three-pointer to put the Wizards up 79-65.
In all, Wall and Morris combined to make 11 of 17 attempts from the floor for 26 points in the third period, while the entire Hawks’ roster scored 28. With Wall in total control, the Wizards’ offense was at its crispest and tallied 11 assists (Wall had four) to just three turnovers, all of which happened in the final 1:13 of the period.
To continue reading this article, click here.
