2015 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game #2
#5 Washington Wizards at #1 Atlanta Hawks
Wizards lead Best of Seven Series 1-0
Philips Arena – Atlanta, Georgia
Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 8:05 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Atlanta -6
Current Line: Atlanta -6
Opening Total: 199
Current Total: 197 1/2
Opening Money Line: Hawks -260 / Wizards +215
Current Money Line: Hawks -275 / Wizards +225
The Washington Wizards stole home court advantage in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks with their game one victory Sunday in Atlanta. Now, the Hawks look to take a split with them before the series shifts to Washington for game three Saturday. Game two is Tuesday night in Atlanta.
Atlanta won the Southeast Division with a 60-22 record by 14 games over 46-36 Washington. The Hawks also won three of the four meetings in the regular season as well. However in the playoffs, Washington has clearly been the better team. The Wizards swept the Toronto Raptors in the first round. Meanwhile, Atlanta struggled to beat the #8 seed Brooklyn Nets in six hard games.
Going into game one of the Washington-Atlanta series, the Wizards had a full week off while Atlanta had around 36 hours after ending the series against Brooklyn Friday night.
Atlanta took a 37-26 lead at the end of the first, shooting 64% from the field in the quarter. The Hawks would lead by 10 at halftime. However, Atlanta couldn’t hit anything in the second half, shooting only 25% from the field. Atlanta was especially dreadful in the fourth going 5/28 from the field. There was one sequence late in the fourth when Atlanta grabbed five straight offensive rebounds but missed six straight shots. The Hawks only scored 35 points in the second half, and the Wizards took the 104-98 victory in game one. In the last two seasons, Washington is 8-1 straight up in road playoff games.
Bradley Beal had 28 points and 7 assists for the Wizards. He sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of game one but would return after getting it retaped. He is listed as probable for game two. Paul Pierce had 19 points and 3 rebounds. John Wall had 18 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks, despite battling a sore shoulder. He is also probable for game two. Marcin Gortat had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Drew Gooden added 12 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Otto Porter, Jr. had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures. DeMarre Carroll had 24 points and 3 rebounds. Al Horford has 17 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 assists. Paul Millsap had 15 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Kyle Korver had 13 points and 5 assists. Jeff Teague had 11 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds. He also sprained his ankle in game one and is probable for game two.
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Atlanta is coached by Mike Budenholzer, who was named NBA coach of the year. The Hawks are 52-35-2 this season and the total is 44-46. Atlanta was a 5.5 point favorite in game one and the total was 197.
Washington is coached by Randy Wittman. The Wizards are in the playoffs for the second straight year and lost in this round last year to the #1 seed Indiana Pacers. Washington is 38-46-3 ATS and the total is 42-43-2.
Atlanta is outscoring teams 103-97 this season. The Hawks are in the top ten in both categories. Atlanta is shooting 46.6% from the field and 38% from 3 point range. The Hawks are #4 or better in both categories. Atlanta is #5 in free throw shooting at 77.5% from the line. Opponents are shooting 43.9% from the field and 34.1% from 3 point range. The Hawks are #7 or better in both categories. Atlanta averages 40.6 rebounds and opponents average 43.6 per game. The Hawks are #28 in rebounding. Atlanta averages 25.7 assists, 13.5 turnovers, 9.1 steals and 4.6 blocks per game.
In the playoffs, forward DeMarre Carroll averages 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Paul Millsap averages 15.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He is probable with a shoulder injury. Kyle Korver averages 15.5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Jeff Teague averages 14.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2 steals per game. Al Horford averages 14.3 points, 10 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. Horford suffered a dislocated pinky in game one of the Brooklyn and has been playing with his hand taped but is probable. Dennis Schroder averages 9.3 points and 3.3 assists. Thabo Sefolosha is out for the season with a broken leg.
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Washington is outscoring teams 99-97 this season. The Wizards are #8 in points allowed in the NBA. Washington is shooting 46.5% from the field and 36% from 3 point range. The Wizards are in the top ten in both categories. Washington makes 74.2% from the free throw line. Opponents are shooting 43.3% from the field and 34.4% from 3 point range. Washington is #2 in field goal defense. The Wizards average 44.3 rebounds per game and opponents average 41.5 per game. Washington is in the top 10 in both categories. The Wizards average 24.1 assists, 14.3 turnovers, 7.4 steals and 4.6 blocks per game.
In the playoffs, Bradley Beal averages 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. John Wall averages 17.3 points, 4 rebounds, 12.5 assists and 1 block per game. He is probable with a shoulder strain. Marcin Gortat averages 17.3 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks per game. Paul Pierce averages 15.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Garrett Temple is probable with a hamstring injury after missing the whole Toronto series.
Washington is 7-0-1 ATS against teams with winning records, 6-0 against teams with winning home records, 5-0 after a straight up win, in road games and after scoring 100 points or more, 10-1-2 overall, 9-1-2 against Eastern Conference teams, 15-5-1 after a cover, 3-8-1 against Southeast teams, and 2-6-2 on one day rest. The underdog is 8-3-3 ATS in this series recently. The road team is 5-2-1 ATS in this series recently.
Atlanta is 5-2 ATS after allowing 100 points or more, 13-6-2 against Southeast teams, 9-19-1 in Tuesday games, 2-7-1 overall, and against Eastern Conference teams, 1-4 after a straight up loss, at home and against teams with losing road records, 1-5 after failing to cover, 1-5-1 against teams with winning records, and 2-12-1 in second round games. The over is 5-0 in this series overall and 7-0 in Atlanta recently in the series. The Hawks are 4-1-1 ATS in this series recently.
Atlanta had tired legs in the fourth. I think they will do better in game two and earn the split in a high scoring game.
