The Hawks managed to pull away in the fourth quarter of Game 2 against the Washington Wizards, notching a 106-90 win to even the series at 1-1.
At times, it looked like the Hawks were falling victim to the same issues that dogged them in Game 1. Their offense was fluid and they were generating open looks, but they couldn't seem to connect. Most notably, sharpshooter Kyle Korver (who has led the league in 3-point percentage two seasons in a row) connected on just 1-of-7 from deep.
On the other end, the Wizards connected on a number of contested and unlikely shots, which kept the game close. The Hawks' lead numbered just seven at halftime.But Atlanta stuck to their formula, which netted better results in the second half. Korver turned it around, connecting on 3-of-4 treys as part of seven Hawks triples in the final two quarters. They also clamped down when they needed to most, limiting Washington to 15 points on 4-of-15 shooting with six turnovers in the fourth.
It was Millsap's third consecutive game recording at least five assists, something he hadn't done in his previous 17 contests before a series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The Hawks' power forward finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals, bringing his postseason averages to 15.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.4 steals and a block through eight games, with Atlanta performing 22.9 points per 100 possessions better with Millsap on the court as opposed to on the bench.
That playmaking ability from their big men, particularly from Millsap, has been a key factor in Atlanta's playoff run thus far, with Millsap's 69 total touches and 47 passes second only to point guard Jeff Teague on Tuesday. Millsap enjoyed another All-Star caliber season for the 60-win Hawks, but the pending free agent's complete game has been somewhat of a revelation for those who didn't tune in to many Hawks games throughout the year.
.jpg)
Post a Comment