Instant Reaction: Wizards Clip Hawks 104-98, Take Game 1 In Atlanta

If Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup is any indication, we're in for a wild ride with the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks streaked out to a ten-point lead at halftime (63-53), but the Wizards' tenacity on both sides of the court (plus a seemingly game-long Bradley Beal heat check) pushed them ahead in the middle of the 4th quarter.

The Wizards would keep making shots down the stretch, securing a 104-98 Game 1 victory and a NBA-record 4th-straight Game 1 win on the road.

Key Number: 15

The Washington Wizards kept pace with the Hawks' bigs on the offensive boards with 15 to Atlanta's 16, creating a litany of second chances for the Wizards' sharpshooters to bring the team back in it.

Washington MVP:

While he was majorly hampered with a troublesome ankle injury late and forced to leave the game with time winding down, this was still Bradley Beal's day at the office. Beal posted a game-high 28 points to go with seven rebounds, slicing and dicing his way through the Hawks defense and shooting at will.

Atlanta MVP:

DeMarre Carroll is emerging as a star in these playoffs, and he once again paced the Hawks with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He's the perfect embodiment of this selfless Atlanta squad, and he's efficient enough to be a threat every time he gets the rock.

What's Next?

The team's get a day off before locking horns again in Atlanta during Tuesday's Game 2. Tipoff is slated for just after 8:00pm EST.

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