NBA playoffs schedule and results: Warriors, Hawks bounce back in Game 4

Luckily for Atlanta, Teague found his mojo in Game 4. It helped to get off to a good start. The point guard went 3-of-4 from the field in the first quarter, with all four shots coming in the paint. He made it a point to probe the defense, allowing the Hawks to control tempo and get eight fast-break points. Teague went just 1-of-6 in the second quarter, but all six shots were either in the paint or from three, and he also went to the line four times and dished out three assists. This was part of a 36-point quarter for Atlanta to take a 10-point lead into halftime.

Teague’s aggression continued into the second half. He came up big in the fourth quarter by scoring 10 points to help hold off Washington’s rally. Seven of Teague’s 10 shots in the second half came in the paint, and he attempted three more free throws and handed out three more assists.

Just as it was looking like it was going to be a close game throughout, the Warriors ended the quarter on a run and led by eight at the buzzer, after a long three-pointer by Curry.

Things got ugly fast after that. Golden State looked like the team that destroyed all comers during the regular season in the second quarter. The Warriors locked down defensively and ran every chance they got. The MVP version of Curry showed up and there was nothing the Grizzlies could do to contain him. When the dust had settled the Warriors were ahead by 17 at the break.

The Wizards’ shooting was unsustainable, and with the Hawks tightening up their defense it came back to Earth. Their small lineup created some problems for Atlanta but was not as deadly as it has been at other points in the series. Defensively Washington struggled mightily to contain anything the Hawks were attempting, as the assisted buckets continued. As the minutes passed they found themselves down double-digits after allowing Atlanta 65 first-half points.

The Wizards refused to go away, knowing that they’ve been great in close games this postseason. Yet the Hawks responded, like they did all night whenever Washington tried to close the gap. They got stops when they needed them and always found someone to connect on a timely bucket, none bigger than this Teague dagger.

The 32-year-old can still get up.

Paul Pierce hits more than just game-winners.