The 4-5 matchup in the Eastern Conference is living up to its billing, as two straight wins by the Atlanta Hawks has evened up their series with the Washington Wizards. The Game 5 matchup will head back to Washington, D.C. as the Wizards aim to once again play well on their home court.
Each game thus far has gone to the home team, but since Atlanta doesn’t have the home court advantage, it will need to buck that trend at some point in order to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Wizards are a much better team at home than on the road, and therefore they will be favored in this critical Game 5 matchup.
This war on the floor will go down Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.. The game will be televised live.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Wednesday schedule.
NBA Odds
The Hawks were 2.5-point favorites last time out and easily covered that in the 111-101 win. The scoring total pushed, as it came in at 212 points. It will likely be pegged similarly in Game 5.
Atlanta is 45-41 straight up and 41-45 against the spread on the season. The Hawks have hit the road 43 times and have covered in 21 of those games. They have gone 18-13 against the spread as the underdog, and will now only look to cover but come away with the victory in this one.
The Wizards are 51-35 straight up and 44-41-1 against the spread. Washington has done well at home, covering in 25 of its 43 games in the regular season and playoffs. The Wizards are 27-22-1 against the spread as the underdog on the season.
Last Time Out
Washington has the biggest star in the series in point guard John Wall and a worthy sidekick in Bradley Beal, but the Hawks used their balance to take control in Game 4. Paul Millsap led the way with 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while Dennis Schroder added 18 points.
All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures in this one as Dwight Howard also played a critical role, scoring 16 points and hauling down 15 rebounds. The Hawks got 10 or more points from seven different players and would love to get contributions from a multitude of players again next time out.
Players To Watch
Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat -- The Wizards’ big men have talent, but they weren’t very involved on the offensive end in Game 4. While Gortat finished with 18 rebounds and three blocks, he only had two points on 1-of-4 from the field.
Morris had 21 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in Game 1 but has only totaled 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in the past three games combined. He has gotten in foul trouble and must avoid that in Game 5 to help his team.
The Wizards have great guards, but now will need their big men to step up the rest of the way in order to win Game 5 and the series.
Free NBA ATS Pick
The Hawks showed some things in the last two games, as Millsap and Schroder have led the way in the victories to get this series back even. The home team, though, has been dominant in this series, and luckily for the Wizards they finished with the better record during the season and have the home court.
If Washington can get this game, it will either win in Game 6 or guarantee itself a home reservation for a Game 7. The Wizards will be in good shape if they pull that off, and they should be able to pick up this win in front of their home crowd.
NBA Odds: Wizards 108, Hawks 104
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