Game Preview: Wizards v Hawks

The Washington Wizards play host to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern
Conference first-round playoffs at Verizon Center on Wednesday. The Hawks (2-2)
looked lost in the first two games on this series, but two crucial home wins has
evened up this first-round matchup. What makes those games all the more
encouraging is the fact that they won both those fixtures by double-digit
margins, with Atlanta looking like the far superior team in their home building.
It remains to be seen if they can do that on the road, but they’ll have to win
at least one road game in this series if they want to advance to the next round.
Paul Millsap has really stepped up his game recently, as he’s accumulated 75
points, 33 rebounds, 16 assists, five steals and three blocks in his last three
games. Dwight Howard needs to get going though, as his 16 points and 15 rebounds
in the Game 4 win is the Howard they need to see going forward, rather than the
guy who scored just 18 points in the first three games combined. The Wizards
(2-2) have been dominant at home all season and if they can just take care of
business in their home building, they’ll find themselves in the second-round.
What they really need is more from their role players, as John Wall and Bradley
Beal have had to carry way too much of the load on their shoulders. In fact, the
other three starters have combined for just 63 points and 12 assists in the last
three games, as Otto Porter, Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat are all
struggling. To further that point, Wall has 83 points and 26 assists alone in
that same three-game span. That becomes even more concerning since this is one
of the worst benches in the NBA. If they don’t get more from those players, they
won’t last long in these playoffs. The home team has won seven of the eight
meetings between these teams this season, with Washington 4-0 at Verizon Center.