Game 2 in the first-round series is Tuesday night in Boston. However, the streak I would pay more attention to is the three straight wins the Wizards have over the Hawks this season.
Although Hardaway's shot wasn't falling, Budenholzer was particularly happy with the way he defended Washington's Bradley Beal in the first half.
On a day Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum put on a dazzling display of shot-making for Portland, the NBA's top-seeded team of superstars found its touch down the stretch and defended with objective.
Wizards star guard John Wall sprinted his way to a playoff career-high 32 points plus 14 assists. The House of Guards combined for 63 points, led by Wall with 32 and Beal with 31.
When the Hawks started to pull away in the second quarter, Morris drew a 3-point foul and then proceeded to score eight consecutive points to put them back in the game.
Yet you shouldn't be surprised - that's been par for the course for teams trying to stop Wall this season.
Draymond Green had a big game for Golden State, grabbing 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and six points as well as blocking three more shots.
The series will now shift locations with Atlanta set to host the next two games.
"Setting the tone", Morris said after the game.
Coming into game two of the series between the fourth-seeded Washington Wizards and fifth-seeded Atlanta Hawks, most expected a chippy game with the potential for tempers to flare.
Anti-government protests continue in Venezuela for a fourth week
But the government has ruled out an early presidential election this year as opposition leaders have demanded. But all of the action, into its fourth week, is also fueled by a crippling economic crisis.
An off-form Stephen Curry scored 19 points while JaVale McGee scored 15 points off the bench as the Warriors took a 2-0 series lead.
There was a lot of speculation during the offseason about why the Wizards hired Scott Brooks to coach the team. He urged the bench players to get into the game. The Wizards were able to fill the defensive roles. Considering Washington's youth in their top 3 players (Wall 26, Beal 23, Porter 23), this matchup could shape the Eastern Conference for the next few seasons. "I play in the moment".
Scoring droughts and minor injuries are going to happen in that environment.
Even as each team shot 28 percent from 3-point territory, scoring wasn't a problem.
"With [Beal], you just reboot the computer every miss and just focus on making the next shot", Brooks said.
Markieff Morris told Millsap to shut up during Game 1, escalating a physical showdown between the power forwards.
"The difference in the game was we were playing basketball, and they were playing MMA", Millsap said, frustrated after one of the grimiest 114-107 games you ever will witness. After taking 39 free throws in Game 1 (to Washington's 17), they attempted 38 (to Washington's 33) in Game 2. "Usually the aggressor is rewarded".
The Hawks remain in Washington for practice with a couple of days before Game 2 at Verizon Center on Wednesday night.
Despite the Washington Wizards electing to keep Kelly Oubre Jr. and Jason Smith out of Monday's team practice due to sore knees, both are anticipated to play in Game 2, per CSN Mid-Atlantic's J. Michael. Washington was also great at the line, going 16-of-17 as a team.
Comments