2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 5: Wall Wills The Wizards, McGee Is Still Good And The MVP Race In A Nutshell

Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after making a three point field goal against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 5

Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) and forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the second quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

MMA Doesn’t Suit The Hawks

After Game 1, Paul Millsap lamented how the Atlanta Hawks were playing basketball and the Washington Wizards were “playing MMA,” due to the physical nature of the game and how it was officiated.

After Markieff Morris suggested Game 2 might be like “double MMA,” Millsap made sure to throw his body into Keef on the game’s early possessions, trying to set the tone for himself and his teammates. All those MMA comments led to a tightly whistled affair, with 29 fouls called in the game’s first 24 minutes. By the end of the night, there were 55 fouls and 71 free throws overall.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, who led by four entering the final frame and lost by eight, none of it was enough to knot the series at 1-1. Even with a nine-point advantage from the foul line, plus 27 points and 10 boards from a determined Millsap on a night where Morris and Otto Porter Jr. scored just seven combined points, Atlanta came up short.

Next: 2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 4

Forget about MMA, double MMA or anything coming out of Markieff Morris’ mouth. The real reason the Hawks are losing this series is they have no answer for John Wall and Bradley Beal. Simple as that.