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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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Mar 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario(42) reaches for a rebound between Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario(42) reaches for a rebound between Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Win the rebound battle.

Winning the rebound battle is huge in any basketball game, but it’s proven to be a large component of the Wizards wins. They were able to outbound the Raptors by plenty in their series.

Washington out-rebounded the Raptors by about 10 per game, a huge margin, and that was a huge reason that they were able to so easily sweep them. They got physical underneath, and were able to really dominate on the boards. Watching the games it was clear to see the Wizards were more hungry to go after those potential second chance opportunities and defensive rebounds.

There are doubts about if they can do this against the Hawks, but they need to use their physicality that they have from Nene and Marcin Gortat. Both of these guys dominate physically in the paint and are great for blocks and rebounds. Together they averaged almost 14 rebounds per game during the regular season, something that has to continue in the postseason.

Winning the rebound battle is going to be a huge part of this series, and these two guys will be key for the Wizards.

In the Hawks round one series, they went all the way to six games. It could’ve been argued that this was because the rebound battle was so neck-and-neck between the two teams.

Down to the final game, the rebounds between the two teams were within one.

I believe that the rebounds will be one of the most important parts of this series, and it’s going to be a physical battle down low for the boards.

Next: Shut Teague Down

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