Hawks’ Millsap

Millsap anchors the Hawks. Whenever they need a score, they go to him, whether on top or down low. And, to his credit, he has delivered. For all the desire of the Wizards to shake his composure, he has remained focused on the task at hand.

Considering how much Paul Millsap had been carrying the load for the Hawks since their playoff run began, it was no surprise that he turned in yet another sterling performance yesterday. He was active from the get-go, and seemed to pick up his game even more when he had yet another dustup with first-round foil Markieff Morris. By the time his 36-minute night was done, he put up 19, nine, seven, and two, thoroughly outplaying his Wizards counterpart en route to victory.

On paper, the Hawks’ Game Three triumph looks more impressive; among other things, they finished the set- to 18 points clear of the Wizards. Given the manner in which they took Game Four, however, not a few quarters believe they were actually much better yesterday. No doubt, head coach Mike Budenholzer was pleased with the way they shared the ball, with all starters and their two top substitutes finishing in double figures. When they’re all engaged, they’re hard to stop.

In any case, Millsap anchors the Hawks. Whenever they need a score, they go to him, whether on top or down low. And, to his credit, he has delivered. For all the desire of the Wizards to shake his composure, he has remained focused on the task at hand. He could have thrown a low blow, as Morris did in referring to him as “a crybaby.” Instead, he laughed off the verbal jab, initially riding with it to say “it definitely got personal now” and then contending that “I don’t care.”

With business having been dealt with at the Philips Arena, the series looks to be tough to call. Because it has essentially turned into a best-of-three affair, the outcome may well be decided by sheer breaks. Offhand, the Wizards have the edge, and not simply because they have homecourt advantage; all other factors being equal, they have John Wall to tilt the balance in their favor. Then again, Millsap’s no slouch, either; if nothing else, he gives the Hawks a fighting chance.