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Wizards, Hawks head to Washington for Game 3

May 9, 2015 - 1:23 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Wizards return home and will try to take the series lead over the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks Saturday evening at the Verizon Center.

It's been a while since we've seen this series as Game 2 was Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Game 3 shifts to Washington DC, where the Wizards haven't played since April 26 when they swept the Raptors in round one.

A lot has happened in this Eastern Conference semifinal matchup since the Hawks evened things on Tuesday.

Washington's All-Star guard John Wall was diagnosed with five non-displaced fractures in his left wrist and hand. The injury kept him out of Game 2, but with an official diagnosis, it seems Wall's future in this series is in question.

"If the pain goes away and I can dribble and do those things again, then it's all up to me," Wall told the Washington Post. "Given how competitive I am, if I am able to do those things and dribble and do what I want to do and be myself, then there's a great [chance] that I will play. But if I can't be myself, [there's] no point in going out there."

The Washington Post wrote that Wall initially clashed with Wizards' medical personnel about the first diagnosis, but Washington coach Randy Wittman vehemently denied that report. Wittman also stated that if Wall could do further damage, he would not play.

Without Wall in Tuesday's Game 2, the Wizards were a shell of themselves. Wall posted four straight double-doubles and with the swelling high, he pulled himself from the lineup an hour before tip.

The Hawks prevailed, 106-90, thanks to a traditionally balanced effort.

DeMarre Carroll led the way with 22 points, while Al Horford and Paul Millsap each scored 18 for Atlanta. Millsap and Horford combined for 11 assists, with Millsap grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds for the Hawks.

Ramon Sessions picked up the scoring load starting in place of Wall, leading the Wizards with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Bradley Beal was not as efficient from the floor, however, making 8-of-22 attempts and finishing with 20 points and a team-high seven assists.

Paul Pierce and Otto Porter each had 15 points for Washington, which suffered its first loss of the postseason.

Atlanta outscored Washington 9-4 over the final 2:06 to take an 80-75 lead into the fourth.

"We were trying to get some rhythm heading into the fourth quarter. Last game, we didn't do that," Carroll said.

Dennis Schroder found Horford for an alley-oop dunk early in the fourth to extend the Hawks' edge to nine, but the Wizards battled their way back with six straight points to trim their deficit to 84-81.

Atlanta then locked down from there, with Horford's successive makes igniting an 11-2 run. Pero Antic buried a 3-pointer before he capped the run with two free throws for a 95-83 Hawks lead.

"They made more plays down the stretch," Wittman noted.

"If we keep moving the ball, keep attacking (and) keep finding the open man, good things will happen," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said.

Game 4 will be Monday night.

The Wizards have won four of the last five meetings in Washington.