Al Horford Carries Hawks to 82-81 Game 5 Victory Over Wiz

YES!!! Al Horford sinks the winning bucket for the Atlanta Hawks to take Game 5 over the Washington Wizards Wednesday night. This low-scoring thriller was one for the ages. Atlanta takes Game 5 with a final score of 82-81.

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In Game 5 Wizards PG John Wall miraculously played after breaking five bones in his left wrist in Game 1. The Hawks turned the ball over more times on offense than they had assists: 25 turnovers to 21 assists. Both teams shot under 25% from 3-point range: ATL 22.7%, WAS 23.5%.

Just because this game was tremendously low scoring did not mean that it wasn’t packed full of excitement. It had a throwback playoff feel to it as both teams are trying to reach Conference Finals for the first time since the 1970’s. Washington, then the Bullets, haven’t made it to an Eastern Finals since 1979. Atlanta, then in the Western Conference, haven’t made it to a Conference Finals since 1970.

Washington leaned on Wall, Bradley Beal and Marcin Gortat to lead the way for the Wizards offensively. They combined for 52 of Washington’s 81 points. Only six Wizards scored tonight: the starters and Otto Porter, Jr. Al Horford had a sensational game for the Atlanta Hawks: 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots!

Kyle Korver had a rough game offensively for the Hawks. But his 3-pointer from Sandy Springs inside of six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Hawks a much-needed boost offensively to win this nail-biter.

The game almost came to a screeching halt when Paul Pierce hit another amazing clutch three to give the Wizards and 81-80 lead inside of ten seconds left on the game clock. Coach Bud called a time out to draw up a play and advance the basketball to half court. Dennis Schroder fearlessly attacked the basket to attempt a game winning layup. Although his shot missed, Big Al Horford, The Boss, was there to sink the put-back basket inside of two seconds remaining on the game clock. Since Washington used its final timeout on their previous offensive possession, the Wizards were left to heave one from three-quarters court to no avail.

I think the last time an Atlanta franchise won a playoff game in this dramatic fashion was in the 2012 NFC Divisional Round game against the Seattle Seahawks. Matt Bryant kicked a clutch field goal to send the Falcons to the NFC Championship Game. I’m as pumped tonight as I was that Sunday in January 2013.

Though this series is a LONG way from being over, there is a sense of relief that comes from winning the pivotal Game 5 at home. The Hawks go back to DC for Game 6 Friday night for a 7PM ET tip-off. Let’s Go Hawks!

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