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Atlanta at Washington: NBA Lines Analysis and Game Preview
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, May 15, 2015 Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia TV: ESPN NBA Odds: Washington -3 Over/Under: 197.5Analysis
Pierce and the Wizards had what looked like a fantastic upset road win snatched out of their grasp when veteran big man Al Horford dropped in a putback lay-up with just 1.9 seconds left to lift Atlanta to a thrilling 82-81 on Wednesday. Washington appeared to be in control for the majority of the game before struggling late and allowing the Hawks to pull off their stunning win. Washington led by 11 points halfway through the fourth quarter before Atlanta rallied. Horford had his best game of the series in scoring 23 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking five shots to become the first player in Atlanta franchise to history to reach the 20-10-5 mark in a playoff contest. Horford, a three-time all-star who has four double-doubles in the series, basically overpowered ‘soft’ Wizards big man Nene to grab the biggest rebound in the game before calmly dropping it back in the basket.
“He’s always calm and collect; thoughtful, yet intense,” shooting guard Kyle Korver told reporters. “Obviously on the basketball court, he is a steadying force and he’s a consistent player. This was obviously a big moment for him.”
While Pierce scored a series-low 11 points, he did drain what looked like a game-winning three-pointer to put Washington ahead with 8.3 seconds remaining, before trash-talking Atlanta’s bench that the series was officially over.
“I think the sting of this game is going to motivate us for Game 6,” Pierce told reporters. “We’re going to go back home with aspirations of winning and making another trip to Atlanta.”
The Wizards, who got a game-high 23points from Bradley Beal, were bolstered by the return of all-star point guard John Wall after the electrifying floor leader missed the three previous games. Wall added 15 points in the heartbreaking loss.
“I didn’t have any problems with my hand,” Wall told reporters. “I was able to play aggressive and make plays so I was fine.”
Prediction
I’m going to get right to the point by saying that I really like the Washington Wizards to lay a huge smackdown on the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks tonight. First and foremost, while Washington lost Game 5, I thought the Wizards easily outplayed the Hawks for the majority of the game. Secondly, I believe that all Washington’s Game 5 loss did was add more fuel to their desire to win tonight’s closeout contest. Atlanta clearly has no answer for both, John Wall and backcourt mate Bradley Beal, nor do the Hawks have a player that can close out games like Paul ‘The Truth’ Pierce. Beal has four 20-point outings in the series and is averaging a robust 24.4 points per game while Atlanta’s Kyle Korver is shooting 35 percent from the field in the series.
The Hawks are just 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games against a team with a winning SU record and just 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games following an SU win.
Conversely, the Washington Wizards have compiled a near-perfect 5-0-1 ATS mark in their last half-dozen games following an SU loss while also going 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games against a team with a winning S.U. record and a bankroll-boosting 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
I like Washington to win and cover the spread with a bit of room to spare!
