Eastern Conference Playoffs Round 1, Game 5 Series tied 2-2

Hawks at Wizards

April 26, 2017 at 6:00 PM Verizon Center | Washington, DC TV: CSN Mid-Atlantic Radio: 1500 AM

What to watch: Playoff Panda!?

After a poor overall performance in Game 3, “Playoff Panda” came alive and bounced back in Game 4. Beal finished with a game-high 32 points, shooting 11-for-23 from the field and 5-for-14 from beyond the arc. Beal played relatively well in Games 1 and 2, but has struggled with consistency in his jump shot throughout the series. If he can put together another strong game and knock down a similar amount of three pointers in Game 5 – the home town crowd will be in a frenzy and it will be a sight a to see.

Key Matchup:

Marcin Gortat vs. Dwight Howard

Gortat dominated his match up against ex-teammate, Dwight Howard, in games 1 and 2 recording 14 points and 10 rebounds in both games while holding Dwight to just 7 points in game 1 and 6 points in game 2. However, since the series shifted to Atlanta, Dwight has come alive and has taken control of the battle at the Center position. Gortat has been held to just 4 points the last two games. If the Wizards are going to bounce back from back to back losses they are going to need the Polish hammer to command the paint vs. Howard.

X-Factor:

Markieff Morris

Keef has gradually disappeared after setting the tone in his playoff debut in Game 1 with a 21-point performance in 38 minutes.

Foul trouble has haunted Keef throughout the series as he has flirted with fouling out in the last three games. His physical “MMA” style of play has been combated with whistles from the blind men in the white and black stripes. Although some (all) fouls have been highly questionable, it will be up to Keef to be smarter earlier in games to avoid landing an early seat on the bench. Foul trouble has clearly disrupted his rhythm as he is averaging almost just as much points (7) as fouls (5) in the last three games.

Keef is the ultimate X factor. If he stays out of foul trouble and is on the floor spreading the court as a stretch 4, setting hard screens for Wall and Beal to get open, and is out there playing defense on four-time All-Star Paul Millsap instead of Jason Smith, the chances of the Wizards taking game 5 are convincingly higher.

Fun Factor:

The home crowd energy

The playoff atmosphere and the energy from the #DCFamily in the Verizon Center made the commute into the city and my view from the 400’s for both Games 1 and 2 an experience I won’t forget (it was worth the $15 burger and $9 drink…. kinda).

The #DCFamily was just as passionate and fired up for a fadeaway jump shot by John Wall at the 6:05 minute mark in the first quarter when the score made it 14-6...

...as they were for the three-point dagger by Beal to seal the game 106-98 Wizards, with just 38.1 seconds left in Game 2.

The Wizards players FEED off the ENERGY of the home crowd and it will be a major (fun) factor in Game 5.

Prediction: The Wizards bounce back in game 5.

Inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of their home crowd, Wall and Beal put on a show and go for more than 60 points combined. The refs let the boys play playoff basketball. Keef avoids foul trouble. Wizards get a much-needed boost off the bench from Kelly Oubre on the defensive end and Bojan Bogdanovic on the offensive end. And the Wizards take a commanding 3-2 series lead.

#Wizards #JohnWall #Clippers