There were several differences in the Hawks between Games 1 and 2, and the most critical came at the most important time, when they scored on 8 of 11 possessions to end the game.
The Hawks’ 106-90 victory against the Wizards on Tuesday night was no work of art, but in the playoffs the search is never for aesthetics. It’s for results, and in scoring 18 points the last 11 times Atlanta touched the ball, the Hawks were nothing like the team that made just 5 of 28 shots in the fourth quarter of their 104-98 loss in Game 1.
First and foremost, DeMarre Carroll said after scoring 22 points, “We were attacking the goal more this game, and I think that was big for us. [We were] getting to the free-throw line instead of settling for jumpers.”
That, and the Hawks’ drive-and-kick game went into high gear.
After the Wizards pulled within 88-83 on a pair of free throws by Ramon Sessions with 6:01 left, Atlanta — already more forward in its attack — pushed even harder.
And when Washington double-teamed Atlanta’s drivers, the Hawks passed.
Then, they hit shots — another big difference from Sunday.
Paul Millsap soon rebounded Carroll’s missed 3-pointer, and scored on an 8-foot jumper. That was significant because in Game 1 the Hawks were 1 of 10 on second-chance shots in the fourth quarter.
Marcin Gortat missed at the other end, and after Kyle Korver rebounded, Jeff Teague drove the middle, drew two Washington defenders, and fired to Pero Antic in the left corner. He was all alone, and his 3-pointer pushed the Atlanta lead to 93-83.
Teague’s having a tough series scoring. He went for nine points Tuesday on 3-of-12 shooting, and for 11 on 4 of 14 from the field in Game 1. The Wizards have made a point of taking away his drive game, so …
“They were hedging the pick and roll so we can just drive it; we had to drive and kick them a lot,” Teague said. “It’s hard to finish at the rim against those guys; they come and help so much.”
Not long after a couple Antic free throws, Millsap drove the middle. When he was doubled, he found Korver in the left corner — alone — for 3 more and a 98-88 lead with 2:53 to go.
“We were more aggressive driving, driving to score. They help so much from the weakside that if we sink deep enough, we’re going to have open shooters,” Millsap said after scoring 18 points.
“If we don’t score [driving], we have open guys all over the floor. It’s up to us to find those shooters.”
About the Author
