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Washington Wizards: 3 Adjustments To Make In Game 5

By Jerran Anderson

Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts on the court against the Atlanta Hawks in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts on the court against the Atlanta Hawks in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5, center), guard Bradley Beal (3, center) and guard John Wall (2, third from right) react on the bench in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks of game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5, center), guard Bradley Beal (3, center) and guard John Wall (2, third from right) react on the bench in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks of game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Get Back To Team Play, Fewer Turnovers

The Washington Wizards are averaging 25.0 assists in their two victories this series so far. In their past two losses, they are averaging 17.5 assists per game.

In the same span, the Wizards are averaging 11.5 turnovers per game at home and 15.5 turnovers on the road. Much like the regular season, Washington is still a different team at home than it is on the road.

When the ball is moving and starters are playing well, things go well for the Wizards. However, they need to get back to playing as a team with less isolation basketball.

The Wizards have less than 20 assists in their two losses in the series. Point guard John Wall had 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, but also six of the Washington Wizards’ 14 total turnovers.

In Game 3, the Hawks scored 38 points and shot 65.2 percent from the floor as a team in the first quarter. They never looked back after jumping out to an early lead. Atlanta had 60 points in the paint in the game.

Marcin Gortat had just one shot attempt in that game, playing 12 minutes. He had just two points despite playing more than 35 minutes in Game 4. Gortat grabbed 18 rebounds (four offensive) but he only got four shot attempts.

Getting the frontcourt going is key to getting a Game 5 victory.