Eastern Conference playoffs preview-Washington Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks

Nov 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) is fouled by Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) is fouled by Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
The Wizards and Hawks are set to meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Wizards and Hawks are set to meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

As the 2017 NBA Playoffs loom, the Washington Wizards will be taking on the Atlanta Hawks in an intriguing first round match-up. Both teams have high hopes of a prolonged playoff run.

Season Series: Wizards 3-1

The Washington Wizards beat the Atlanta Hawks three out of the four times they played this year. Two of the games were decided very closely, with the others being big blowouts.

Wizards Projected Starters:

Point Guard: John Wall

Shooting Guard: Bradley Beal

Small Forward: Otto Porter Jr.

Power Forward: Markieff Morris

Center: Marcin Gortat

Hawks Projected Starters:

Point Guard: Dennis Schroder

Shooting Guard: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Small Forward: Thabo Sefolosha

Power Forward: Paul Millsap

Center: Dwight Howard

Previous Playoffs:

The last time these two teams faced off was in the 2015 playoffs where the Hawks beat the Wizards 4-2 in that series.

Biggest Advantage for Wizards

Backcourt

The Washington Wizards’ back-court is one of the best in the NBA. With a top five point guard and one of the better shooting guards in the East, they have the advantage in this match-up.

Dennis Schroder is still a great point guard, but is still a few years away from rivaling with John Wall, Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving in the East. Both Beal and Wall had career years in Washington with both averaging over 23 points per game and Wall averaging 10.7 assists per game.

Most of this success can be due to Scott Brooks; ever since he arrived the Wizards have been looking up as a team.

Biggest Advantage for Hawks

Frontcourt

The Atlanta Hawks have a better front-court so it evens out. Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap make a great tandem down low. Even though Howard has been on a decline for a few years, he has improved his rebounding and field goal percentage this year in Atlanta.

MUST READ: Five reasons why the Thunder can win the first round

Millsap also had a career year with points, averaging over 18 points per game. If both Millsap and Howard can give you 40 points combined each night, they should stand a good chance in any game they play.

Key Matchup

Dennis Schroder vs John Wall

This will be one of the more intriguing match-ups of all the first round games. Having one of the better point guards in the game go up against one of the up and coming ones will be exciting to watch.

In their four games this year, both guys were pretty neck and neck point wise except their third match-up where Schroder scored only 9 points.

Related Story: Previewing the Spurs, Grizzlies first round matchup

I predict that these two will be pretty even points wise but Wall will excel in defense and passing. But, if Schroder can prove he can bang with the Wall, it should show that he is ready for the big stage.

Series specifics and predictions:

Game 1

Date: Sunday, April 16th

Time: 1pm EST

Location: Verizon Center

Watch: TNT

Line: Washington -5

Game 2

Date: Wednesday, April 19th

Time: 7pm EST

Location: Verizon Center

Watch: NBATV

Game 3

Date: Saturday, April 22nd

Time: 5:30pm EST

Location: Philips Arena

Watch: TNT

Game 4

Date: Monday, April 24th

Time: 8pm EST

Location: Philips Arena

Watch: TNT

Game 5

Date: Wednesday, April 26th

Time: TBD

Location: Verizon Center

Watch: TBD

Game 6

Date: Friday, April 28th

Time: TBD

Location: Philips Arena

Watch: TBD

Game 7

Date: Sunday, April 30th

More from Thunderous Intentions

Time: TBD

Location: Verizon Center

Watch: TBD

Prediction:

I think that the Wizards win this series but it will be close. Both teams can compete with any team on any given night. Ultimately, I think Wall and Beal will be too much for the Hawks to handle.

I predict the Wizards will win a Game 7 at home. Although it was a minor injury, Wall did miss a few games towards the end of the season with a sore quad. By the time this series starts, he will have over a weeks rest. I don’t think it will effect him much but a slight aggravation could cause him to play less minutes for the first game or two.