After going down 2-1 in the series, the Atlanta Hawks won three-straight games against the Washington Wizards in down-to-the-wire fashion to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in Atlanta Hawks franchise history. Since moving the franchise to Atlanta, the Hawks have never won two playoffs series in a single year. The franchises' lonely championship came in 1958 when they were the St. Louis Hawks.
After leading by as many as 15 points, the Hawks almost handed this game to Washington as one of the clutchest performers in NBA history almost pulled off an incredible shot to force overtime. With 6.4 seconds remaining in regulation, Washington inbounded the ball and got the ball into Paul Pierce's hands. Pierce would fade to his left in the corner and launch a three-pointer that swished through the net and initially tied the game sending the game into overtime. However, upon further review Pierce didn't release the shot in time giving the Hawks a delayed celebration that sends them to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers.
DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap posted double-doubles to lead their team past the Wizards 94-91 in Game 6. Carroll finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Millsap added 20 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. Jeff Teague was very solid tonight as he scored 20 points and dished out seven assists. The hero of Game 5 Al Horford had a workman like game as he did a little bit of everything with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Washington's backcourt of Bradley Beal and John Wall did everything they could to give their team a chance to win. Beal led all scorers with 29 points on 11-of-24 shooting from the field. John Wall added a double-double with 20 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and two steals. The only other Wizard in double-figures was Kevin Seraphin who came off the bench and gave Washington 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Wizards froncourt trio of Paul Pierce, Marcin Gortat and Nene sruggled mightily tonight. Pierce ended the game with four points on 1-of-7 shooting, Gortat played only 12 minutes and added two points and three rebounds, and Nene gave five points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field but did grab 11 rebounds. Come to find out Gortat was sick overnight and needed IV fluids before the game, which led to the emergence of Kevin Seraphin off the bench.
The Hawks went up 4-2 early in the first quarter but the Wizards took the lead shortly on a Bradley Beal three-pointer. A DeMarre Carroll three-pointer and a Paul Millsap and-one play helped the Hawks gain a 12-5 lead. Drew Gooden sinked in a three-pointer with 1:30 left in the period that cut Atlanta's lead to one at 17-16. The Hawks were up in the final seconds of the quarter, but a floater by Kevin Seraphin gave the Wizards a 20-19 lead.
The second quarter consisted of a series of lead changes between both teams. The Hawks had some breathing room late in the period on a three-pointer by Paul Millsap to go up 37-34. Millsap had 10 of his 20 points in the second quarter. John Wall soon tied the game up with an agressive attack to the basket that led to a layup, plus the foul. With 30 seconds left, Al Horford sinked in a layup on an offensive rebound to put the Hawks up 43-39. Millsap added on to the Hawks' momentum with a bucket at the buzzer to give Atlanta a 45-39 halftime lead.
The Hawks were able to get their first double digit lead of the game early in the third quarter on a DeMarre Carroll layup to lead the Wizards 49-39. Carroll also knocked down a three-pointer to give the Hawks a 55-43 lead at the 8:06 mark. Carroll's play set the stage for a 12-4 Atlanta run. Atlanta would lead 64-50 with 5:16 left in the quarter. Washington would start a comeback as they ended the quarter on a 14-8 run, but the Hawks would still hold on to a 72-64 lead.
Washington made it a six-point game early in the fourth quarter on a Bradley Beal three-pointer. Until the 5:54 mark in the fourth, the Hawks would keep their lead between six and 10 points. Every time the Wizards would make a bucket the Hawks always responded quickly with one of their own. However, the Wizards went on a 9-0 run giving them an 88-87 lead with 3:49 remaining. Bradley Beal spearheaded that run as he slammed one home on a fastbreak started by a John Wall steal, and then hit a baseline jumper that gave Washington their first lead since 4:26 left in the second quarter. Beal was a rock for the Wizards in the fourth as he scored 13 of his 29 points when the game mattered most.
The lead would hold up until 1:47 left when Paul Millsap knocked down a contested mid range jumper making it 89-88. Atlanta would take on four more points on DeMarre Carroll layups giving them a 93-89.
The Wizards offense stalled out as they didn't make another field goal after Beal's jumper to give them the lead. But with seven seconds left, Washington was able to force a turnover and Garrett Temple was fouled in the paint on an offensive rebound. He would make both cutting the lead to 93-91. Al Horford left the door open for Washington as he only made one free throw making it a one possession game at 94-91. That set the for Pierce who has been clutch all postseason long. The shot went down but unfortunately for Washington it was a split second too late.
The Atlanta Hawks now move on to their first Eastern Conference Finals and will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Game 1 will take place in Atlanta on Wednesday May 20th.