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5 Components For The Wizards To Beat The Hawks

By Josh Wilson

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 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) shoots a three point shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Nets 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) shoots a three point shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Nets 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Keep things small.

First off, the Wizards must limit the Hawks and not allow them beyond the perimeter. Kyle Korver is one of the best players in the league from deep, and one thing Wizards fans do not want to see during the games is the infamous “Korver counter” from the Hakws twitter account.


Twice against the Nets, Korver was able to score 15 points from deep, and in both of these games, the Hawks won. It’s clear that Korver’s success from deep is a direct relationship to how well the Hawks do, so limiting him to inside the perimeter could really help the Wizards out.

If he starts to hit deep balls, he really does heat up. They can’t even let Korver get a few three pointers up, because he will just keep going. One of the top assignments for defense has to be having someone glued to Korver at all times. He is a threat from downtown that sparks runs that can not be contained.

Korver isn’t the only one that can have great games from beyond the line. DeMarre Carroll had a great game in Game 5 from downtown, as shown in the beginning of this game five highlight video. Although Korver needs to be shut down, they can’t forget about other players who can contribute from deep as well.

In addition to this, the Wizards did very well when they kept the Raptors inside the paint, and keeping things small for round two is probably the way to go. Although they shouldn’t pass up a wide open three, they may be best advised to keep things inside the key, or close to it as much as they can on offense.

Drawing more than just Korver in will keep the game small, and make it easier to win for the Wizards. Small ball is something they’re used to, and familiar with. Seeing a game that is confined to the limits of the key is one they can dominate, and one the Hawks are not necessarily used to. It will take execution on the Wizards part, but it could work.

Next: Win The Rebound Battle

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