NBA Playoffs 2015 Results: Washington Wizards Take Game 1 Over Atlanta Hawks, 104-98, Steal Homecourt Advantage In East Semis

The Washington Wizards remain undefeated in the 2015 NBA Playoffs to join the likes of title-contenders Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors as the only teams with a perfect record in the postseason. The Wizards still have a lot to prove to be considered as legit threats to win the title but Sunday’s Game 1 victory—an impressive 104-98 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks—should be a good start.

Wizards’ sniper Bradley Beal bucked a sprained ankle to finish with 28 while backcourt partner John Wall had 18 points and 13 assists for the Wizards, which have now won five straight postseason games after their sweep of the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Wizards’ plan for the opening game of the best-of-seven series was simple: hang around with the home team, which is coming off a hard-fought series against the Brooklyn Nets in the previous round, and try to steal one on the road. They followed that plan and stole it in the final quarter.

The Wizards trailed by double-digits the first quarter, 26-37 but had a big third quarter to enter the final quarter trailing by just two points, 83-81. Washington allowed just 15 points to the Hawks in that final canto, where the Wizards looked like the fresher team against the East’s top seed.

The supposed best team in the conference is known for their passing and team play and the Wizards showed they could have a balanced output too; Four other players aside from Wall and Beal ended up in double-figure scoring. Veterans Paul Pierce had 19 points and Marcin Gortat had 12 points and 12 rebounds while Drew Gooden (12 points) and Otto Porter Jr. (10 points and 11 rebounds) both played well of the bench.

The Hawks, which is seeded No. 1 in the East but now have lost the homecourt advantage, were led by DeMarre Carolle’s 24 points. Atlanta big men Paul Millsap (15 points and 12 rebounds) and Al Horford (17 points and 17 rebounds) both had double-doubles. The Wizards-Hawks series continue on Tuesday for Game 2 of the best-of-seven affair. Atlanta will try to avoid a 0-2 hole before the series shifts to Washington for Games 3 and 4.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.