NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference - Semifinals
Tip-off: Monday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Atlanta -4.0, Total: 199.0

The Hawks will be trying to even up the series at 2-2 when they face the Wizards in Washington on Monday.

The Hawks did not have an answer for the Wizards’ offense in Game 2, allowing Washington to shoot 47.4% from the field and 35.7% from the outside. The Wizards also outrebounded them 54-49 and Atlanta will need to come out with a lot of fire on Monday or they could be heading home shortly. They have not had much success in Washington though, losing five of their past six games at the Verizon Center SU and three of those games ATS. It’s worth noting that four of the past five games played between these teams have gone Over the total. This Hawks team is 27-13 ATS after playing three consecutive games this season and also happens to be up against a Wizards group that is 1-8 ATS after a home game where both teams score 100 points or more as well. Washington is, however, 31-19 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the past two seasons and Atlanta is just 1-12 ATS after two straight games with 10 or more steals on the year. PF Paul Millsap (Illness) is probable for the Hawks, but PG John Wall (Hand) is doubtful for the Wizards in this one.

The Hawks were unable to pick up a much-needed victory in Game 3 and SG Kyle Korver (13.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG in playoffs) needs to make a bigger impact on the game. He had just six points in 37 minutes on Saturday and is shooting just 38.1% from the outside in the postseason. He is a much better shooter than that and needs to start hitting some shots to space the floor for his teammates. PG Jeff Teague (13.7 PPG, 7.7 APG, 1.8 SPG in playoffs) is also going to need to play a lot better moving forward. The Wizards are playing without John Wall, so Teague should be able to get to the rim at will in this series. He’s going to have to be very aggressive as a scorer in Game 4. PF Paul Millsap (15.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.2 SPG in playoffs) was sick in Game 3 and it showed, as he finished with just eight points and two rebounds in 23 minutes. He did not look like himself and will need to be better, but it likely won’t happen unless he is feeling better. C Al Horford (14.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.3 BPG in playoffs) had 12 points and 10 boards in 28 minutes in Game 4. He tweaked his knee in the fourth quarter last game and didn’t reenter the game, but should be good to go in this one. He’ll need to be a big presence inside on both ends of the floor.

The Wizards have played extremely well in this series and have been able to make adjustments whenever they’ve been needed. SF Paul Pierce (15.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG in playoffs) has provided this team with the leader it needs and he hit a buzzer-beater on Saturday to put the Wizards up 2-1 in this series. Ever since Randy Wittman moved him to the power forward position, this team has thrived offensively and he’ll need to keep playing well with John Wall out. SG Bradley Beal (21.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.6 SPG in playoffs) continues to play at a high level in this postseason and had 17 points and eight assists in Game 3. He took over most of the play-making responsibilities with Wall out and will likely continue to do that. C Marcin Gortat (15.0 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG in playoffs) had 14 points and eight boards to go along with three blocks in Game 3. His size continues to be a big issue for the small frontcourt of Millsap and Horford. PF Nene Hilario (7.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG in playoffs) and SF Otto Porter (11.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.3 SPG in playoffs) were major difference makers in Game 3, combining for 34 points and 16 rebounds. They hit shots when they needed to and must continue to contribute with Wall out.