Washington Wizards’ Fowl Problem with the Atlanta Hawks In Game-2 of 2017 NBA Playoffs

Washington Wizards overcame a foul problem against the Atlanta Hawks in Game-2 by staying composed and sticking to the game-plan.

After Wednesday’s win against the Atlanta Hawks, the Washington Wizards have gained serious ground in their first round series matchup with a 2-0 lead.

As expected in the playoffs, the Wizards clawed their way to victory, but it wasn’t because of what the Hawks were doing. The win was a difficult one because of the way the game was officiated.

It seemed as if the second the Hawks stepped over their timeline, they teleported to the charity stripe. The referees called the Wizards for an early succession of fouls, effectively turning it into a half-court game.

Early on in the contest, when the Wizards brought the ball up to their basket, they were getting bodied left and right, yet the they hardly saw the free throw line.

At the end of the game, Atlanta shot 38 times from the free throw line, while the Wizards shot 33 times. However, those numbers are somewhat skewed because the referees’ willingness to blow the whistle early on took the Wizards out of their element.

The referees’ officiating, starting from the first five minutes of the game, swung the momentum in the Hawks’ favor, causing the Wizards to be shorthanded.

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By taking almost half of the starting lineup out of the game early, including Otto Porter and Markeiff Morris due to foul trouble, it allowed the Hawks’ starters to play against a Wizards’ team that wasn’t at full capacity.

Scott Brooks was forced to rely on his bench sooner than normal, but some – like Brandon Jennings, who scored 10 points – rose to the occasion.

After Sunday’s loss to the Wizards, Paul Millsap told the press: “The difference in the game is we were playing basketball and they were playing MMA.”

The officiating made it seem like the referees took that comment as guidance.

Morris picked up two quick fouls early in the first quarter. Nothing unusual there, but the following players are the last people that would have anything to do with MMA, got into foul trouble early – Jason Smith (4) Kelly Oubre (4) and Otto Porter (4).

When the officials started calling it in favor of the Hawks, Coach Brooks created a scene, causing the referees to hit him with a technical.

The officials did not let Washington play and extended the game beyond its normal 48 minutes, because every other second they were calling early fouls against the Wizards.

The Wizards deserve a lot of credit, because even though the game wasn’t going their way, they did not lose their composure and played on.

The Wizards knew they couldn’t control the referees, and came out and did what they were supposed to do, and played basketball.

There was a time, not long ago, when John Wall would’ve gotten hit with a technical and Keef thrown out of the game. The team has truly grown not only in their basketball acumen, but also in how they handle adversity.

Credit must be given to Brooks, in the growth and maturity that was shown on the court by his players on Wednesday. Last night, no one would’ve faulted Wall if he argued with the referees or Keef if he was ejected, but those two knew it was more important for them to be out on the floor.

Despite the poor officiating, the Wizards still managed to pull out the win because the team checked their egos at the door.

Next: How the Wizards Could Continue Dominating the Hawks

The Wizards knew they couldn’t speak out, so they let their play speak for themselves.

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