John Wall scores 42 points, Wizards eliminate Hawks 115-99

Washington’s lead never sunk below five points after that driving layup, and the Wizards ended up winning 115-99. The Hawks did a solid job of keeping them out of the paint for the most part, but Wall and Beal responded by making some shots on floaters to negate Atlanta’s rim protection and keep passing lanes open when the Hawks tried to collapse on them.

Atlanta guard Kent Bazemore said, “John Wall was huge tonight”.

Atlanta Hawks’ Dennis Schroder walks off the court after his team fell to the Washington Wizards in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series on Friday, April 28, 2017, in Atlanta.

ATLANTA (AP) – John Wall had that look in his eye at morning shootaround. They know that they have to take care of business in the playoffs but sometimes that only heightens the emotions. Beal has become a massive weapon, not just on shots set up by Wall, but as a facilitator in Washington’s offense. We were at shoot-around, and you can just tell when he’s locked in and ready to go. These next couple of games could very well be where we see some of the Hawks’ most tallied assist-on-scoring attempts.

The Hawks called timeout, and Wall stared down the fans at courtside before heading to the Washington bench.

Three years later, and the Wizards almost let a 22-point second-half lead over Atlanta slip through their hands until Wall’s career-defining fourth quarter. “Me and Brad led the way”.

“I learned how strong we were”. To find a way to get back.I think it was 100-97 at one point.I felt like we had an opportunity to maybe dig ourselves out of another big hole.

Schefter said Millsap could get a maximum five-year, $207 million deal from the Hawks. There was no visible lanyard around his neck displaying a pass, and the gray and black ball cap covering those sandy brown curls he’s grown long since retiring from basketball made him appear even more anonymous.

The top-seeded Celtics also claimed a 4-2 first-round triumph, seeing off the challenge of the Chicago Bulls with a convincing 105-83 win at United Centre. If Wall doesn’t make that block, it’s a one-point game and the Wizards are staring at Game 7. That’s before you get to Terry Rozier, who gave Boston great minutes in round one. More importantly, Morris kept his composure and helped get stops defensively, setting the tone for Washington. The Hawks missed a 3-pointer, Wall countered with a pull-up jumper, and just like that the Wizards were up 97-90.

Washington finished on a 22-9 spurt to win going away.

Coach Scott Brooks credits the training staff for getting Smith ready to play so quickly. Markieff Morris finally managed to stay out of foul trouble.

Dwight Howard and Millsap both had three fouls at the half. The nine-time All-Star dominated and finished with eight assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Schroder also elevated his game for the playoff series, averaging 24.5 points and 7.7 assists in six games against the Wizards. DeAndre Jordan added 13 points and 18 rebounds. It takes at least two things for that kind of tilt to happen on the scoreboard: One team has to be really good, one really bad. Beal popped up, his ire directed at official Bill Spooner, and he bumped into Bazemore’s chest as several teammates rushed in and showed their displeasure.

Hardaway, a restricted free agent, ranked third on the team with his average of 14.5 points and he led the team in 3-pointers.

After his performance against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs, there’s no defending anyone who ignores his brilliance. The Hawks slipped to 48-34 last season and lost in the second round.