WASHINGTON — The Alanta Hawks advanced to the NBA”s Eastern Conference Final for the first time in franchise history, beating the Washington Wizards 94-91 Friday night when officials ruled Paul Pierce’s game-tying 3-pointer was released after the clock expired.
The Hawks held on thanks primarily to DeMarre Carroll’s playoff career-high 25 points, including two layups in the last minute off assists from Jeff Teague.
After Al Horford went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line for a 3-point lead, the Wizards inbounded the ball with 6.4 seconds left. They got the ball to Pierce, who won Game 3 on a banked-in buzzer-beater, then put Washington briefly ahead late in Game 5 with a 3. This time, his 3 from the corner swished through, but after a couple of anxious minutes for both teams, a replay review determined the shot was too late.
Once trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series against the Wizards, the Hawks won three straight. They improved road teams to 6-0 this postseason in Game 6s.
Top-seeded Atlanta next plays host to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the conference finals on Wednesday night.
It’s the Hawks’ first trip to a conference final since the NBA realigned into conferences in 1970-71. The team had not won two playoff series in a single year since moving to Atlanta for the 1968-69 season.
Teague and Paul Millsap both added 20 points for Atlanta, which won 60 games during the regular season.
Playing with a broken left hand that forced him out of Games 2, 3 and 4, Washington point guard John Wall attacked the rim as if completely healthy and finished with 20 points, 13 assists and six rebounds.
Wall began the game with a beige bandage on his left wrist and black padding on the top of that hand. But in the second half, the black padding was gone.
Bradley Beal scored 29 points for Washington.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
