May 02--ATLANTA VS. WASHINGTON
1. ATLANTA
60-22 (Home: 35-6; Road: 25-16; Playoffs: 4-2)
5. WASHINGTON
46-36 (Home: 29-12; Road: 17-24; Playoffs: 4-0)
Season series: Atlanta, 3-1
Key stat: Atlanta and Washington played good defense in their opening-round playoff wins. Each gave up 96.3 points per game, Atlanta to Brooklyn and Washington to Toronto. They also shared the ball well. The Hawks averaged 25.7 assists per game, which was fourth best among playoff teams; the Wizards averaged a league-high 26.3.
Outlook: As it was during the regular season, Atlanta remained a balanced team against Brooklyn. All five Hawks starters averaged double figures in scoring -- just like in the regular season. The only surprise was that small forward DeMarre Carroll, who averaged 17.5 points per game, led the way. The Hawks rely on movement, spacing, cutting and making the extra pass for a better shot.
Washington had point guard John Wall running its attack against Toronto. Wall averaged 12.5 assists per game in that series, tops in the playoffs. Marcin Gortat shot 74.4% in the series, the best percentage in the playoffs.
And then there was Paul Pierce, who trash-talked the Raptors and then backed it up by averaging 15.5 points per game on 57.6% shooting -- 58.3% on threes.
Prediction: The Wizards got their mojo back once the playoffs started. Wizards in 6.
