The Wizards have been the most entertaining Eastern Conference team in the playoffs. Even in a game they controlled from the opening tip, they still managed to provide drama, as Washington surrendered a 20-point lead in seven minutes of the fourth quarter, culminating in a Mike Muscala 3-pointer off of a Dennis Schröder assist off the ground following a slip. But with time running down, Paul Pierce did what he does.
How about
a. don't let Paul Pierce get the ball in that situation as he's the most deadly clutch performer on the floor for either team
b. don't let Paul Pierce get a switch vs. a guard under 6-2,
c. if he does get the ball with a switch vs. a guard under 6-2, send the double immediately and live with the consequences. None of those thing happened and the Wizards get another signature moment for Pierce in a playoffs in which he's given the Wizards an entirely different attitude.
Yes it was a desperation shot. Yes it was a fadeaway vs. multiple defenders and yes, it was a bank shot. But that's Pierce's favorite range. That's where he wants to shoot from. When he shot it, everyone who has watched Paul Pierce play for 17 years thought the same thing. "Money. "
All of this without John Wall in a 103-101 victory for the Wizards. Here are three more key takeaways from Hawks-Wizards.
1. OTTO-MATIC FOR THE PEOPLE
So is Randy Wittman a fool for burying Otto Porter in the doghouse for four months after a great start to this season, when they badly needed a spark off the bench? Or is he a genius for putting him in such a key position in the playoffs?
Either way, Porter lead the Wizards in scoring (along with Nene and Bradley Beal) with 17 points and minutes with nearly 40, and stepped up in a huge way. Dunks, 3-pointers, smart passes, cuts, and generally making constant plays. The Hawks were awful in pretty much every capacity Saturday, but their inability and unwillingness to devote resources to stop Porter cost them.
Porter was a highly regarded top-five pick in a weak draft, but has come out and focused on what he can do, learned behind Paul Pierce, and like the best of young players, plays within himself. Seeing him make the most of his playoff opportunities has been really fun to watch.
You can look at Pierce and the winning shot. But Porter was the reason that the Wizards, without John Wall, are up 2-1.
2. SIT IN THE CORNER AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE DONE
It would be one thing if the Hawks were up 3-1, or even 2-1, I'd get it. If you had a lead and then then you say "Look, they're at home and they're going to play all out with a lot of emotion after Wall's injury," I'd get it. But to come out this flat, with so little energy, in a 1-1 game vs. a team without its best player? Unforgivable.
The Hawks' bench made an incredible run to tie the game under 20 seconds, but that still put the bench guys in position to have to stop Paul Pierce. The Wizards got a switch with Dennis Schröder guarding Pierce, and it was over at that exact moment. They sent two more guys, but didn't send 'em early enough. Good for the reserves, but not good enough.
The starters on the other hand, were a total mess. It's one thing to play poorly. But the Hawks had no energy. Paul Millsap was reportedly fighting flu-like symptoms. Maybe the whole team was sick, that might explain it. Their overall body language was of a team that wanted to quit however. Jeff Teague in particular played with no energy, gave up a bush league flagrant foul, and generally had no poise or control of the game.
The next loose ball that the Hawks come up with will be their first since Game 2. The comeback the reserves provided should be evidence that they should have beaten this team. Atlanta wasn't ready for this game, and it cost them.
3. HIGHEST PAID CHEERLEADER IN DC HISTORY
Before the Paul Pierce madness, here's the play that defined the game, as Porter gets an open emphatic jam and just watch John Wall lose his mind:
SERIES SCHEDULE
Game 1 - Sunday, May 3
Washington 104, Atlanta 98
Game 2 - Tuesday, May 5
Atlanta 106, Washington 90
Game 3 - Saturday, May 9
Washington 103, Atlanta 101 - Washington leads series 2-1
Game 4 - Monday, May 11
Atlanta at Washington, 7 p.m. (TNT)
Game 5 - Wednesday, May 13
Washington at Atlanta, TBD (TNT)
Game 6 - Friday, May 15
Atlanta at Washington, TBD (ESPN) - If necessary
Game 7 - Monday, May 18
Washington at Atlanta, 8 p.m. (TNT) - If necessary
