Washington Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks Game 5 Pregame Analysis

This back and forth series will come down to this game. The series is tied 2-2. One team will break the tie. The first game Washington won 104-98 surprising the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter. In the second game Atlanta bounced back with a 106-90 win to make the series 1-1. In that game, John Wall got injured and did not play for the rest of the game. In game 3 in Washington the Wizards beat the Hawks despite John Wall's absence 101-103. In game 4, the Hawks beat the Wizards 106-101. So this really has been a back and forth series. No team has won two games in a row.

       Today's game will be very important. For the Wizards, John Wall will make a game time decision if he wants to play in today's game so that brings back some hope for this inexperienced playoff team. Even Wall himself is not sure if he can play. " If your not confident in your ability to do what you want to do," Wall said. " Then there's no points in playing."
         The Wizards are 5-0 with him in the playoffs, and 1-2 without him. That is how big of a difference he makes on this team. The swelling in Wall's hand has diminished substantially over the last week. If he does play his minutes will probably be limited.

         On the Wizards side of the court there will be one hard task: to keep John Wall from the paint if he does play. Demarre Carroll has been playing great basketball for the past few games as he has during the playoffs. Jeff Teague is back to himself after having 26 points the other day in a win over Washington.

         Paul Millsap had 19 points in his return to the lineup after battling the flu the other day.

         For the Wizards if they want to win, there big men have to get into the game more. For the past few games, Marcin Gortat and Nene, Washington's power forward and center, have not been a big factor for them.

         Bradley Beal also had an outstanding performance in game 4 with a playoff high, 34 points, along with 7 assists.

         Both teams will be looking for a win today and one will come out with the win and break the tie. Tonight's game will decide on the first team to 3 wins and an advantage for game 6.