Testy Game 5s in NBA playoffs on tap tonight
Paul Millsap has accused the Washington Wizards of bringing mixed martial arts to the court.
Jimmy Butler has had it up to here with Boston’s Marcus Smart.
As the series between the Hawks and Wizards and Celtics and Bulls both enter pivotal Game 5s tonight, the tension and pressure is surfacing all over the place.
The latest dustup came after Boston won its second straight game in Chicago to even that series at 2-2, with Butler essentially accusing Smart, the rugged Celtics guard, of being a fake tough guy.
“We’re not going to sit here and get in each other’s faces,” Butler said after the game. “He’s not about that life.”
Smart tried to keep the focus on the game when asked about Butler’s comments on Tuesday, but it was clear that he took exception to the characterization even if he didn’t want to get into a war of words with the Bulls star.
“I can show you better than I can tell you. Last time I checked if you’re going tosay somebody ain’t about
that life you should know, right?” Smart said. “We’re going to keep this Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics. Not Marcus vs. Jimmy.”
The Hawks were in danger of getting bullied out of the first round quickly after the Wizards, adopting the Death Row D.C. moniker that embodied the notorious hip hop label, got physical to win Games 1 and 2. But the Hawks responded in Atlanta to even the series, with Millsap delivering 29 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in Game 3.
“We’ve got home court for a reason,” Wizards guard John Wall said after the Game 4 loss. “It’s an opportunity
for us to go home, take care of what we need to do and come back here on Friday.”
After looking lethargic to fall behind 2-0 in the series, the Hawks came alive back home in Atlanta. Dwight Howard helped lead the way in Game 4 with 16 points and 15 rebounds, looking more like the athletic paint prowler he was earlier in his career. Now the series shifts back to Washington, where the Wizards flexed their way through the first two games. The Wizards won 30 games at home during the regular season, the second-most in the Eastern Conference.