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Dose: Teague Time for Hawks

Jonas Nader takes a look at the latest injury report and breaks down some stories and rumors from around the NBA

The Hawks and Warriors both got must-wins on Monday night to tie their series’ at 2-2. The Bulls and Cavs will battle it out in Cleveland in Game 5 on Tuesday and the winner will take a 3-2 lead, while the Clippers will look to close out the Rockets in L.A. tonight. I don’t see how the Clippers lose this game.


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Hawks 106, Wizards 101 – Series tied at 2-2

The Hawks got a must-win on Monday night, taking out the Wizards by a score of 106-101. Jeff Teague went off to the tune of a playoff career-high 26 points, four boards, eight dimes, two steals, a block and two 3-pointers on 9-of-20 shooting. He also committed just one turnover in 32 minutes, which was a key for the Hawks, as was one of his late 3-pointers. He has to be thrilled that John Wall is out with a wrist injury, and we still don’t know when, or if, Wall will be ready to play again in the postseason.

Paul Millsap, despite a bout with the flu, stepped up with 19 points, five boards, six assists and two steals on 7-of-13 shooting, and Al Horford added a double-double with 18 points, 10 boards, two steals and two blocks on 9-of-18 shooting. The Hawks’ Big 3 hit 11-of-12 free throws, while Horford never got to the line. DeMarre Carroll crushed a lot of daily-league dreams by hitting just 2-of-8 shots for five points and six rebounds, while Kyle Korver continued to be quiet with just six points on 2-of-4 shooting. And yes, both of his hits were 3-pointers. Dennis Schroder was solid off the bench, as usual, with 14 points, four rebounds, eight assists and two 3-pointers, but missed two straight free throws with the game on the line late. That left the Wizards down just three points, but Paul Pierce wasn’t able to connect this time, and the Hawks walked out of Washington with the win and the series tied at 2-2. Carroll suffered a hip pointer on the final play of the game and could be in jeopardy for Game 5. If he does have to miss that one, Kent Bazemore and Mike Scott would likely be the main beneficiaries.

The Wizards got a boost from Bradley Beal, who hit 11-of-25 shots and four 3-pointers for 34 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block, and he was also 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Paul Pierce, coming off the game-winner on Saturday, also came through with 22 points, five boards, three blocks and five 3-pointers in Wall’s absence. Ramon Sessions was solid while filling in for Wall, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, five dimes, a steal and a 3-pointer, but hit just 5-of-14 shots, and Nene added 12 points, seven boards, four assists and a block on 6-of-8 shooting, many of which were dunks. Marcin Gortat disappeared at center, hitting just 1-of-7 shots for three points, eight rebounds and zero blocks, and the Wizards will need to get him going in Game 5. Will Bynum led the bench brigade with 10 points in 14 minutes, while Otto Porter disappeared by hitting 1-of-4 shots for four points, five rebounds and three assists. Porter came in hot after scoring 17, 15 and 10 points in his previous three games (along with a bunch of boards, steals and 3-pointers), but never got it going tonight. Look for him to bounce back in Game 5 in Atlanta.

Wall’s hand is still swollen due to his wrist injury and he might not be able to play again in this series. If not, Pierce, Beal and Sessions should all continue to put up serious numbers the rest of the way. Game 5 is in Atlanta on Wednesday, Game six is Friday in Washington, and Game 7, if necessary, is on Monday in the ATL.

Warriors 101, Grizzlies 84 – Series tied 2-2

Stephen Curry made sure the Warriors wouldn’t fall into a 3-1 hole by racking up 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and four 3-pointers on 11-of-22 shooting in the Warriors dominant win over the Grizzlies on Monday. The Warriors decided to leave Tony Allen open to shoot and the plan worked beautifully, as Allen’s shot wasn’t falling the Warriors controlled the game from the opening tip.

Draymond Green added 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks and three 3-pointers, Klay Thompson hit 6-of-15 shots and three 3-pointers for 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, and Andrew Bogut came through with nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks, despite scoring just four points. Harrison Barnes was also solid with 12 points, six boards, a steal and a block on 6-of-14 shooting. The Dubs didn’t use their bench much, but David Lee was finally relevant with five points in 15 minutes, and Andre Iguodala had 11 points, four boards, three assists, a steal and three 3-pointers in 24 minutes off the pine. The Warriors regrouped after hitting just 42.5 percent from the field and 23 percent from 3-point land in Games 2 and 3, to connect on 47.5 percent from the field and 42 percent from downtown in Game 4. That’s more like it. They’ll have to keep it going from downtown at Oracle on Wednesday in Game 5, and I doubt that will be a problem.

For the Grizzlies, Marc Gasol led the way with 19 points, 10 boards, six assists, a steal and a block on 7-of-19 shooting. Zach Randolph had 12 points and 11 rebounds, but was never really a factor in the game. The same can be said for Tony Allen (4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 2-of-9 shooting in just 16 minutes) and Courtney Lee (6 points, 3 assists, 1 steal on 3-of-7 shooting in 30 minutes), as the Grizzlies just didn’t have it last night. Mike Conley continues to be a warrior by playing through his facial injury, but hit just 4-of-15 shots and two 3-pointers for 10 points, seven dimes and three steals - which paled in comparison to what Stephen Curry did to them. Jeff Green had 12 off the bench and Vince Carter added 10 points and seven rebounds, but Curry dictated everything about Game 4 and the Grizzlies never had a chance.

Game 5 is Wednesday at Golden State, Game 6 is Friday at Memphis, and Game 7 is Sunday at Golden State, if necessary. While several higher seeds found themselves in a 2-1 hole after three games, I've maintained all along that it's hard to believe that the Warriors might actually lose this series. GSW's 3-point game is going to have to go into the toilet again for it to happen, and I don't think Curry will allow his team to lose the series.

News and Notes

Pau Gasol missed Monday’s practice for the Bulls and is iffy for Game 5 on Tuesday. If he’s out again, Taj Gibson is the guy I like to surge in his spot.

LeBron James is dealing with a sprained ankle, but vows to play in Game 5 on Tuesday night. It would be absolutely shocking if he’s not out there tonight for the Cavs. In fact, I’ll go ahead and guarantee he plays.

Jabari Parker is expected to be ready for Bucks training camp in the fall after undergoing knee surgery this season. He’ll be a risky pick, but looks like a good fifth-round investment to me.