Wizards Take Pivotal Game 5, 103-99

The Washington Wizards defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 103-99, at Verizon Center on
Wednesday evening in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs. The
Wizards lead the series, 3-2. An entertaining and hotly-contested series shifted
back to the Nation’s Capital, with the Wizards (3-2) looking to recapture the
momentum they’d enjoyed in the first two games of the series. The comforts of
home were just enough to help lead them to victory, with Bradley Beal leading
the way with 27 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and three
blocks. The star two-guard was only 1-for-9 from three-point range but 10-for-13
from in front of the arc, helping Washington to a 45.2 percent success rate from
the field. The home team also took very good care of the ball, committing only
six turnovers while forcing 11 from the Hawks (2-3). Dennis Schroder put the
Atlanta offense on his shoulders and posted a game-high 29 points, which he
supplemented with 11 assists, one rebound and two steals. Paul Millsap provided
21 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Tim Hardaway, Jr. supplied 15 points and
two boards. Taurean Prince registered 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and
one block. Dwight Howard mustered a modest five points but also compiled 10
rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Kent Bazemore paced the second
unit with six points, two rebounds and two assists. John Wall followed Beal with
a 20-point, 14-assist double-double that also included six boards and one steal.
Otto Porter, Jr. was next with 17 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals
and one block. Bojan Bogdanovic contributed a bench-leading 14 points and
complemented them with six rebounds and one steal. Markieff Morris had eight
points, five rebounds and one block, while Marcin Gortat totaled just five
points but also racked up 10 rebounds, one assist and three blocks. The series
shifts back to Philips Arena on Friday night for Game 6, with the Hawks needing
a win to stave off elimination.