Game Preview: Wizards v Hawks

The Washington Wizards play host to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern
Conference first round playoffs, at Verizon Center on Sunday afternoon. The
Wizards finished the season as winners of three of their final five games,
however they dropped two of their last three, both against the Heat. The Wizards
finished 30-11 at home, which was one of the best home records in the league.
John Wall and Bradley Beal did a fantastic job to lead the Wizards to their
third playoff appearance in the last four seasons. Wall led Washington with an
average of 23.1 points and 10.7 assists per game, while Beal was right behind
him, averaging 23.1 points, 3.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game this season.
The Wizards won the season series versus the Hawks, 3-1. Meanwhile, despite a
rough stretch near the end of the season where they lost seven straight and
missed Paul Millsap to injury for a few games, the Hawks managed to hang on to a
playoff position by winning six of their last nine games. Millsap led the Hawks
with an average of 18.1 points per game, while Dwight Howard was solid all
season, and finished with an average of 13.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.2
blocks per game. Dennis Schroder had a solid season, averaging 17.9 points and a
team-high 6.3 assists per game, but will have his work cut out for him with the
matchup against John Wall.