The Washington Wizards were able to fight off elimination in Game 5 and keep their postseason dreams alive at least for one more game. After two dismal showings against the surging Indiana Pacers, the team found their stride once again and is hoping home court advantage keeps it going as the Wizards aim to force a Game 7.
If the Washington Wizards are capable of pulling off the 3-1 upset and force a Game 7, John Wall could get all the credit. The All-Star point guard was all over the state sheet in Game 5, putting up 27 points, five rebounds and five assists while committing just five turnovers. That is a drastic change from where he was in the first four games of the series. Wall was shooting just 16 of 51 from the field and 1 for 11 from beyond the arc despite the Wizards getting the win in Game 1. He missed several clutch shots that would have put Washington on the path to wining, but stepping up in Game 5 has put most of that on the backburner.
So how did the Wizards adjust? First Wall went 11 for 20 from the field and 3 for 6 from beyond the arc. Second they score in the third quarter. In the first three games, Washington was outscored by an average of 10 ½ points, but in Game 5 they pulled out 31-14.
The other big adjustment came from Marcin Gortat who had been struggling all series. After barely making a different in the past three games, Gortat finished Game 5 with 31 points and 16 rebounds. He got the team in a plus-39 rebound margin which is the third highest of any team in the NBA playoffs. All of that mixed to a blowout, but can the team take the success home where they have struggled in the postseason?