Wizards’ wings win Game 5 over Hawks, 103-99: 3 takeaways

The Washington Wizards hold on to take Game 5 at home against the Atlanta Hawks, 103-99. Here are the three big takeaways from Game 5 in Washington.

As it was with the first four games in this best-of-seven series, the home team won Game 5 between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards. This was the closest of the five games, but Washington proved to be more in control of it during crunch time. The Wizards won 103-99 to take a 3-2 series lead on the Hawks.

Though these two Southeast Division rivals are not national media darlings, Atlanta and Washington are putting together quite the first-round series. Washington is insanely tough to beat at home, but Atlanta will look to take it to a seventh game with a win at home on Friday night.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from Washington’s Game 5 win over Atlanta:

Takeaways

John Wall, help on the wing. The most talented player in this series is Washington point guard John Wall. When was the last time you’ve seen a player be that explosive in transition offense? Exactly, the guy is greased lightning out there. However, he’s not going to win playoff series by himself. He’s just not that proficient of a jump shooter.

Fortunately for Wall, his Wizard buddies out on the wing came to life. Wall may have had 20 points on his own, but his 14 dimes were the signature stat of this game. Shooting guard Bradley Beal, small forward Otto Porter Jr. and bench wing Bojan Bogdanovic all shot over 50 percent from the field for at least 14 points.

Beal has been the most consistent player not named Wall for Washington this series. Porter had a solid first few games in Washington, then largely disappeared in the Atlanta couplet. Bogdanovic may have been the difference in this game. He gave the Wizards the shooting spark off the bench Washington needed to win a massively important Game 5 at home.

Dennis Schroder has gained the most of anyone in this series. Many predicted that Washington was going to win this best-of-seven series over Atlanta with ease for one main reason: Wall is an animal at the point and Atlanta’s starting point guard Dennis Schroder isn’t in Wall class as a floor general.

What we’ve learned is that Schroder is more than capable of helping Atlanta win or stay in tight playoff ball games. He had 29 points and 11 assists in Game 5. The last time a Hawk did that in a playoff game, some guy named “Pistol” Pete Maravich was playing a green and blue Atlanta jersey.

Trading last year’s starting point guard Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz involving point guard George Hill and the No. 12 pick that eventually became Taurean Prince was one some questioned from the Atlanta perspective. Prince looks rock solid at the three as a rookie. Now Schroder has appropriately replaced Teague at the point for the Hawks.

Home courts are the best courts. Look for this series to go seven games. Barring the unexpected, Atlanta will find a way at home Friday night to force a Game 7 in Washington next week. Given how dominant the Wizards are at home, look for them to win an instant classic with the Hawks in Game 7 in a few day’s time.

Washington may be a lousy road team, but the Wizards are electric in their own building. There is no team in the Eastern Conference that can consistently win in the Verizon Center as the visitor. Atlanta is hanging tough with the rival Wizards, but even a divisional foe can’t peck a game away from its Southeast nemesis.

Next: NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Wizards vs. Hawks matchup

Home-court advantage does matter is most series, but this looks to be one where the home crowd carries more weight. The energy in both the Verizon Center and Philips Arena has been spectacular. The Washington faithful definitely helped the Wizards get their third win of the series tonight.