NBA playoff scores 2015: Deron Williams turned back the clock and 3 other things we learned

Deron Williams had a throwback performance while the Bucks and Trail Blazers avoided elimination.

Apr 28, 2015, 12:00 PM UTC

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Deron Williams was averaging six points a game on 27 percent shooting against the Hawks heading into Game 4 of the series. The Nets had competed more than anyone expected them to before the playoffs started but they had done it in spite of Williams, not because of him. On Monday, he had his fingerprints all over a huge win as his 35 points, five rebounds and seven assists were essential for the Nets tying the series at two.

Williams was hot from the start. The Hawks, knowing about his struggles shooting the ball, helped off of him and let him fire away. He connected on 3-of-4 three-pointers in the first quarter and went on to hit 7-of-11.

Once he got his confidence back, Williams started to drive to the rim to set up his teammates. He finished the game 13-of-25 from the field despite some struggles at the rim.

Williams had help. Brook Lopez continued his run of excellent play with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. That type of performance from Williams and Lopez is what the Nets were hoping for when they put the team together. It has not happened often but in arguably their biggest game of the season, the fans got to catch a glimpse of what could be.

Just as no one saw this Williams performance coming, it was impossible to predict that the Hawks would struggle as much as they have so far in the first round. Defensively, they go through stretches where they resemble a top 10 squad. Then there are moments where they can’t stop predictable action from a notoriously slow offense. That wouldn’t be a problem if their scoring wasn’t so hot and cold as well. When the three-pointers fall, Atlanta is hard to stop, but the second the outside shots are not available or miss, players want to go one-on-one without much success. The people who were skeptical of the Hawks’ ability to score in the playoffs without having a legitimate star are being proved right.

As for the Nets, they didn’t have to worry about that on Monday. At least for one night they had the best player on the floor. Whenever they needed a bucket they knew who to look for and he delivered more often than not. Williams will probably turn back into a shadow of his former self in Game 5 and the Nets still aren’t likely to make it out of the first round. That shouldn’t take away from this exceptional night in which D-Will was D-Will again and Brooklyn had the star it always wanted.

3 other things we learned

The Trail Blazers refused to die. The Grizzlies were up by 10 points with almost nine minutes to go in the fourth quarter. A win would have meant a sweep against an injury-riddled Blazers team that knows it can't really come back and advance. It wouldn't have been surprising for Portland to just go through the motions and end their season. Instead, they made a furious push and came back to win the game.

The final stretch had everything: C.J. McCollum looking like a legitimate future Sixth Man of the Year; LaMarcus Aldridge going inside and drawing free throws instead of settling for outside shots, like he had most of the night; the obligatory huge three-pointer by Damian Lillard. The game will ultimately be meaningless but at least the Blazers gifted their fans one perfect last home win.

Michael Carter-Williams is coming into his own in Milwaukee. The 76ers decided that Carter-Williams was not going to be a part of their future and traded him to Milwaukee, which had made a similar decision about Brandon Knight. The idea of the talented point guard playing under Jason Kidd and in a system designed to highlight his defensive potential was tantalizing.

So far in the playoffs -- the first real test of his young career -- it had not been smooth sailing for Carter-Williams. His averages are down and the Bucks are much better when he sits. On Monday, however, he showed he has the talent to be a star in the league with time. He came close to a triple-double, leading the Bucks in scoring with 22 points while also logging eight rebounds and nine assists. Milwaukee's season will likely end soon, but Carter-Williams' future could be fun for Buck fans.

The Bulls are looking vulnerable. The Bulls are far from a perfectly assembled team, but because they have so much talent, things like a distinct lack of reliable shooters is often masked. Not on Monday. Chicago went 4-of-22 for 18 percent on three-point field goals. Derrick Rose took seven three-pointers and didn't connect on a single one, while Mike Dunleavy and Tony Snell missed some open looks.

In the past, the Bulls wouldn’t have worried about poor shooting because their defense was among the best in the league. They have taken a small step back in that area and now they can’t afford to have a bad offense. There are no easy solutions. Rose will keep firing and Nikola Mirotic won’t get the minutes he needs at power forward to make a difference in the spacing in that crowded frontcourt. The Bulls just need to hope that their streaky shooters catch fire at the right time, or they might not be able to put enough points on the board to beat good teams.