Al Horford snatched away an offensive rebound and dropped in the winning basket with 1.9 seconds left after Dennis Schroder’s drive to the basket was blocked by John Wall, giving the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks an 82-81 victory over the Washington Wizardson Wednesday night and a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Paul Pierce, who made a buzzer-beating winner in Game 3, appeared to have doomed the Hawks again when his 3-pointer from the corner gave the Wizards an 81-80 lead with 8.3 seconds left. Pierce taunted the Hawks bench and home crowd on his way back down the court before bowling over Wall, who was playing for the first time since Game 1 after fracturing several bones in his left hand. Wall didn’t mind, throwing up his hands in celebration.
But Atlanta had one more chance.
The Hawks gave the ball to Schroder, who ignited a fourth-quarter rally and was still in the game with All-Star point guard Jeff Teague watching from the bench. Schroder drove and had the shot swatted off the backboard by Wall.
Horford snatched the ball away from Nene, who tumbled to the court, leaving the Hawks center all alone under the basket. He put it the easy shot on a night when both teams struggled offensively, then watched the Wizards throw up a wild shot from halfcourt that didn’t come close as the horn sounded.
The sellout crowd nearly stormed the court, held back by security while the Hawks celebrated. Horford pumped his fists to the crowd, having saved the Hawks with their magical season on the brink. He led the Hawks with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Atlanta is one victory from advancing to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since moving from St. Louis in 1968. Game 6 is Friday night in Washington, and the Wizards must win to force the series back to Atlanta for a decisive Game 7.