Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Apr 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) reacts to a call against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) reacts to a call against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Wizards Need to Match Atlanta’s Frontcourt Play

In Game 1, power forward Markieff Morris had a coming-out party. He went 8-of-19 from the floor with 21 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and two three-pointers. In Game 2, Morris took just three shots despite a Washington victory.

However, in the past two games, Morris is 7-of-21 from the floor.

Morris shot 3-for-10 in the Wizards’ loss Monday night and finished the game with five fouls.

The same can be said for center Marcin Gortat. Gortat put up double-doubles in the Wizards first two victories of the series, but since then, he’s been almost nonexistent on the offensive end. Gortat shot just 1-for-4 in the Wizards’ loss Monday night.

He also finished the game with five fouls.

With Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard being the focal point on the inside for the Hawks, it’s critical that the Wizards get Gortat and Morris back to being involved in the offense.

Millsap is averaging 24.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the last two games. Howard is averaging 10.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in the last two games. If the Wizards want a chance, they’ll need to utilize their bigs on the interior and challenge the Hawks defensively.

Atlanta outscored Washington 41-16 in the paint in Game 4.