PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* TOTAL MASSACRE >> SIZZLING 14-5 L19 Totals!
(NBA) Atlanta vs. Washington,
Total: 212.50 | -101.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 212.50 | -101.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: John Wall led the Wizards with 32 points in Games 1 and 2, as Washington took a 2-0 lead in this series. However, the Hawks rebounded at home with wins of 116-98 and 111-101, meaning this is now a best-of-three series as the teams return to Washington for Game 5. The Wizards still own home-court advantage but after watching the previous two games in Atlanta, it is fair to say that momentum lies with the Hawks. Atlanta dominated Game 3 and then placed seven players in double figures in Game 4's win, while Washington's offense remained too top-heavy. Bradley Beal scored 32 points and John Wall, who played 40 minutes, had 22 points and 10 assists.
Atlanta: Paul Millsap had 19 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals in Game 3 and PG Schroder scored 18, despite three fouls in the first quarter. Millsap leads the Hawks this postseason with 23.5 PPG (8.8 RPG), while Schroder averages 23.3 & 6.3 APG . However, a welcome sight in Game 4 was the play of Dwight Howard, who through the first three games was averaging just 6.0 PPG (had taken a total of only 15 shots), scoring 16 points while adding 15 rebounds. "Obviously, it was his best game," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters of Howard. "We needed that extra boost. He certainly brought it. I thought his defense, his activity on the boards, his second- and third-efforts getting rebounds. We need more of that every night, every possession. When he's like that, I think it can help carry his teammates and move us forward." It's also noteworthy for Atlanta that SF Taurean Prince is averaging 13.3 points on 63.9 percent shooting in the series after posting 5.7 points on 40 percent shooting in the regular season.
Washington: The Wizards are searching for answers after getting beaten on the interior and relying too heavily on guards John Wall and Bradley Beal for offense in Games 3 and 4. "Basically, what I see is two very good basketball teams, evenly matched, fighting for their playoff lives," Washington hesad coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "We're the fourth and fifth seed. The series is tied. It's basically the first to two now." Washington was outscored in the paint by a combined 104-64 in Games 3 and 4. Washington center Marcin Gortat (8.0 & 11.8 for the series) has measured up fairly well against Howard but while he grabbed 18 rebounds in Game 4, he managed just two points. That can't happen again. Also, starting forwards Porter and Morris must play better, after the two combined to average 19.0 points and 11.0 rebounds for the two games in Atlanta.
The pick: The Wizards controlled the first two games at home but it was a different story in Atlanta, with the Hawks emerging as the more aggressive team and rolling to a pair of wins by an average of 14 points. Washington was one of the top three-point shooting teams during the regular season but the Wizards are hitting a playoff-low 29.7 percent from long range after four games. They were also outscored in fast-break points in Game 4, despite Wall's up-tempo presence. However, there is no place like home. Expect Washington to be back "on its game" here at the Verizon Center which means a high scoring game. Make the Over a 10* play.
Atlanta: Paul Millsap had 19 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals in Game 3 and PG Schroder scored 18, despite three fouls in the first quarter. Millsap leads the Hawks this postseason with 23.5 PPG (8.8 RPG), while Schroder averages 23.3 & 6.3 APG . However, a welcome sight in Game 4 was the play of Dwight Howard, who through the first three games was averaging just 6.0 PPG (had taken a total of only 15 shots), scoring 16 points while adding 15 rebounds. "Obviously, it was his best game," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters of Howard. "We needed that extra boost. He certainly brought it. I thought his defense, his activity on the boards, his second- and third-efforts getting rebounds. We need more of that every night, every possession. When he's like that, I think it can help carry his teammates and move us forward." It's also noteworthy for Atlanta that SF Taurean Prince is averaging 13.3 points on 63.9 percent shooting in the series after posting 5.7 points on 40 percent shooting in the regular season.
Washington: The Wizards are searching for answers after getting beaten on the interior and relying too heavily on guards John Wall and Bradley Beal for offense in Games 3 and 4. "Basically, what I see is two very good basketball teams, evenly matched, fighting for their playoff lives," Washington hesad coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "We're the fourth and fifth seed. The series is tied. It's basically the first to two now." Washington was outscored in the paint by a combined 104-64 in Games 3 and 4. Washington center Marcin Gortat (8.0 & 11.8 for the series) has measured up fairly well against Howard but while he grabbed 18 rebounds in Game 4, he managed just two points. That can't happen again. Also, starting forwards Porter and Morris must play better, after the two combined to average 19.0 points and 11.0 rebounds for the two games in Atlanta.
The pick: The Wizards controlled the first two games at home but it was a different story in Atlanta, with the Hawks emerging as the more aggressive team and rolling to a pair of wins by an average of 14 points. Washington was one of the top three-point shooting teams during the regular season but the Wizards are hitting a playoff-low 29.7 percent from long range after four games. They were also outscored in fast-break points in Game 4, despite Wall's up-tempo presence. However, there is no place like home. Expect Washington to be back "on its game" here at the Verizon Center which means a high scoring game. Make the Over a 10* play.
