The Atlanta Hawks came into Game 2 against the Wizards in a must-win situation after falling apart in the fourth quarter in Game 1. It was the complete opposite story in Game 2 as DeMarre Carroll's 22 points led the Hawks to a win that tied the series.

The Hawks executed early in the first quarter and got out to a 4-0 lead. Washington quickly took the lead on a Paul Pierce three pointer that made the score 7-6. Kyle Korver answered with a three-ball for Atlanta moments later that put the Hawks up, 11-7, with 7:25 left. It was a 7-0 Atlanta run. Additional three pointers by Paul Millsap and Pero Antic put the Hawks up, 21-13. Antic would soon head to the bench after getting three fouls in the quarter. Atlanta got out to a double digit lead on a Dennis Schroder jumper that made it a 25-15 score. Ramon Sessions knocked down a three-ball for Washington that cut the deficit to 25-18. The Wizards remained down by eight points at 28-20 at the end of the first quarter.

DeMarre Carroll got the Hawks back up to a 10-point lead at 32-22 early in the second quarter. He had 12 points on 6 of 11 shooting in the half. The Wizards staged a rally as a Bradley Beal three pointer made the deficit 41-34. Paul Pierce then tacked on a three to make it a 43-37 game. Pierce had nine points on 3 of 5 shooting from the three-point line in the first half. Washington managed to make it a 47-44 game with two and a half minutes left. The Hawks were able to execute at the free-throw line in the final minute and led the Wizards 53-46 at halftime.

A Ramon Sessions three pointer early in the third quarter cut the Hawks' lead to 53-49. Sessions got the start at point guard tonight as a result of a wrist injury to John Wall. Sessions had 21 points in 40 minutes of action. DeMarre Carroll then knocked down a three pointer to extend the lead to 59-54 with 9:00 left. Bradley Beal continued to keep the Wizards in the game as he hit another three-ball to make it a 62-59 ball game. Beal totaled 20 points and seven assists for the game. He would later make it a two-point game on an and-one play to make the Hawks' lead at 68-66 with 3:52 left in the period. Otto Porter tied the game for Washington on a three pointer at 71. The Hawks would receive momentum on three-balls from Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schroder as they went into the fourth quarter with an 80-75 lead.

A pair of free throws by Kent Bazemore helped the Hawks receive breathing room at 82-75 early in the fourth quarter. Al Horford then tacked on a layup for Atlanta that put the Hawks up 84-75. They were on a 11-2 run. Ramon Sessions got back into form as he executed on an and-one play to make the score 84-78 with 9:19 left in the game. Paul Pierce soon made it a three-point game on a three pointer that made it a 84-81 game. Pierce was hot all night long from behind the arc as he totaled 15 points on 5 of 8 shooting. 

Paul Millsap and Al Horford dominated inside the paint and it soon built a 90-83 Hawks lead with 5:30 left. Pero Antic added a three pointer to get Atlanta back to double digits at 93-83. Bradley Beal hit a three pointer to make it a 95-89 game with 3:10 left but it was not enough to slow down the Hawks' momentum as a Paul Millsap jumper ultimately sealed the game at 100-88 with 1:50 left.

The Eastern Conference semifinals are now tied at 1-1. The series now shifts to Washington as Game 3 will take place on May 9th.

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About the author
Yuriy  Andriyashchuk
20 and from Atlanta. A die hard Atlanta sports fan(Hawks,Falcons, Braves). Also a University of Nevada-Las Vegas journalism major. Huge fan of southern rap/hip hop.