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Washington Wizards: 3 Keys to Victory in Game 2

By Jerran Anderson

Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Starters must stay out of foul trouble

The Washington Wizards had 23-12 lead before Bradley Beal picked up his second foul in the first quarter. With Beal out, the Hawks ended the first quarter on a 18-2 run.

Luckily for the Wizards, they bounced back after a big third quarter from John Wall. Wall had 15 points and four assists as the Wizards put up a 38-point third quarter.

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/853880730937577472

After playing a physical Game 1, Atlanta should be expected to up the ante in Game 2. The Wizards need to come out on Wednesday night and focus on staying out of foul trouble.

They’re a very good team but without players like Bradley Beal or Marcin Gortat on the floor, things change in a hurry.

As a team that relies heavily on stars Bradley Beal and John Wall, the Wizards can’t afford to lose either of them in the early going. It’s a different story altogether for the bench if they go out with foul trouble.

Center Marcin Gortat did a good job containing Hawks center Dwight Howard in the paint in Game 1. The Hawks will surely look to get Howard going early in the game on Wednesday night.

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The Washington Wizards just need to play disciplined on defense. They sent Atlanta to the free-throw line 39 times on Sunday afternoon.