5 Components For The Wizards To Beat The Hawks

Apr 12, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (7) is fouled while shooting the ball by Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (7) is fouled while shooting the ball by Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 12, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (7) is fouled while shooting the ball by Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (7) is fouled while shooting the ball by Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

For the Washington Wizards, many fans and analysts counted them out in the first round. They didn’t even see them getting past the Toronto Raptors, but they were able to easily sweep them. Now, as they head to face the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks, they’re getting some more credibility, but they’re certainly still the underdogs.

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So, what can they do to actually get past the Hawks? The Hawks had the best record in the Eastern Conference this season, and were undoubtedly a great team. Their head coach, Mike Budenholzer, was named Coach of the Year.

They do, however, lack playoff wisdom. Not many of their players have been deep in the playoffs, and it’s unclear if this will inhibit them from making it past the second round. We’re all waiting to see.

On the other hand, the Wizards are a team with some playoff experience. Mainly, Paul Pierce, as he leads the team with his playoff wisdom.

One thing we can agree on: After seeing the damage Washington did in round one, and the vulnerability exposed of Atlanta by Brooklyn, we are likely in for a great series. I don’t know of anyone who would be surprised to see this series go deep into six or seven games, with the possibility of some overtimes  involved.

You better have a great excuse if you aren’t doing everything in your power to see this matchup.

There’s several things that they can do to get past the Hawks, but here’s a breakdown of the five biggest things they need to do.

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