After wilting late in Game One, the Eastern Conference top
seeds remained solid all the way to the final buzzer to ensure
their best-of-seven second-round playoff series will head to
Washington tied up at 1-1.
The Wizards, who rallied for a 104-98 victory in Sunday's
opener, had guard John Wall sidelined by an injured left wrist
and his replacement Ramon Sessions scored 21 points but
Washington only led once, 7-6 early in the contest.
The Wizards shot just 12 free throws, making seven of them, and
lost for the first time in the post-season after sweeping
Toronto in the first round.
Forward Paul Millsap and center Al Horford each scored 18 points
for the Hawks, with the former also grabbing 11 rebounds.
Guard Bradley Beal had 20 points for the Wizards, while forwards
Paul Pierce and Otto Porter scored 15 points apiece. Center
Marcin Gortat fouled out in the fourth quarter with 10 points
and nine rebounds.
Game Three is in Washington on Saturday, giving Wall extra time
to heal. The Hawks could also benefit from the break after only
finishing off their first-round series against Brooklyn on
Friday.
(Editing by Cameron French/John O'Brien)
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