SPORTS NEWS

For much of the season, the Warriors and Hawks looked like the two best teams in the NBA, winning 67 and 60 games, respectively.  Despite those stellar credentials, both teams headed into Monday's action down 2-1 in their conference semifinal matchups.  MORE: Nike gives Obama new kicks | LeBron claims Blatt criticism PHOTOS: Must-see shots of Round 2 In their respective Game 4 tilts, both top seeds responded with big wins. The Hawks moved past the Wizards, 106-101, while the Warriors handled Memphis, 101-84.  Still, the Hawks and Warriors both head home knowing that, though they are in better shape than they were heading into Monday night, they're only halfway home.  Takeaway:  This series is tied 2-2, and it feels as tight as the record suggests.  After four games, both teams have to feel pretty good about themselves. The Wizards played their third game without John Wall, and despite going 1-2 in his absence, they are only a few missed buckets away from being up 3-1.  As for ...

For much of the season, the Warriors and Hawks looked like the two best teams in the NBA, winning 67 and 60 games, respectively.  Despite those stellar credentials, both teams headed into Monday's action down 2-1 in their conference semifinal matchups.  MORE: Nike gives Obama new kicks | LeBron claims Blatt criticism PHOTOS: Must-see shots of Round 2 In their respective Game 4 tilts, both top seeds responded with big wins. The Hawks moved past the Wizards, 106-101, while the Warriors handled Memphis, 101-84.  Still, the Hawks and Warriors both head home knowing that, though they are in better shape than they were heading into Monday night, they're only halfway home.  Takeaway:  This series is tied 2-2, and it feels as tight as the record suggests.  After four games, both teams have to feel pretty good about themselves. The Wizards played their third game without John Wall, and despite going 1-2 in his absence, they are only a few missed buckets away from being up 3-1.  As for ...

The Hawks are hurting in a big way. After rallying back from a large deficit in Game 3, Paul Pierce had the final say when he banked-in a jump shot over three defenders. It didn't matter that he didn't call glass — it all counts the same, and the Wizards now hold a 2-1 series lead. MORE: Must-see NBA Playoff photos | Rose hits unbelievable 3-pointer | How did Pierce make this? If anyone knows how the Hawks feel, it's the Cavaliers. Just the night before, Bulls guard Derrick Rose did much of the same to LeBron James' crew by kissing a 3-pointer off the backboard over Tristan Thompson's large reach to give them the victory. That weird sequence of events has led to this: A petition started by the Hawks to outlaw backboard usage on game-winning shot attempts. Hey @cavs, Will you sign this with us? http://t.co/4kQElbA6io pic.twitter.com/CaryMS3tMt — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) May 10, 2015 Hey, even though it's a joke, it's worth a shot. View the original article ...

At this rate, a statue will be built of Paul Pierce in Washington. While the Wizards built up a big lead against the Hawks in Game 3, they found themselves in a tightly contested game down the stretch. But with the game knotted at 101-101 in the weaning seconds, Paul Pierce worked his magic. MORE: Must-see playoffs photos | Clippers kids practice | Dr. Magic Johnson Following a screen, Pierce found himself with the ball isolated at the top of the key. Even with three Hawks closing out on him, he created just enough space off of a step-back to launch a shot and kiss it off glass. Oh, and he called game by the way, unlike Derrick Rose. The Wizards now lead 2-1 in the series. View the original article here

As the Wizards look to head home with a 2-0 series lead over the top-seeded Hawks on Tuesday night, they'll have to do it without their biggest star.  Washington guard John Wall has been ruled out for Game 2 in Atlanta after injuring his left wrist in Sunday's 104-98 victory in Game 1.  MORE: Celtics offseason outlook PHOTOS: Must-see Round 2 photos Wall has averaged 17.4 points and 12.6 assists in five playoff games this season, and certainly will be a major loss for the Wizards on Tuesday. Still, it's probably best that he takes time to rest his wrist with a 1-0 lead and significant swelling still posing a problem.  With Wall out, Ramon Sessions will be the Wizards' starting point guard for Game 2. #Wizards Starters: G- Sessions G- @RealDealBeal23 F- @paulpierce34 F- @NeneHilario42 C- @MGortat #WizHawks #dcRising — #dcRising (@WashWizards) May 5, 2015 View the original article here

Once upon a time, center was the most important position in the NBA. Those days are long gone.  In today's NBA, it's all about the point guards. That much was clear in Tuesday night's playoff games, as the absence of one playmaker and the return of another swung the momentum of two playoff series.  MORE: Green hits Conley in the face | Tony Allen has a message | PHOTOS: Must-see Round 2 images The Wizards entered Tuesday a perfect 5-0 in the playoffs but suffered their first loss after John Wall was held out with a wrist injury suffered in Game 1 against the Hawks. Over on the West Coast, the Grizzlies managed to tie their series with the Warriors as Mike Conley put together an extraordinary effort in his return from a gruesome eye injury.  Takeaway:  When the Wizards announced they'd be without Wall, it looked as if it should have been an easy win for the Hawks. The final score would suggest it was, but observers would tell you the game was a lot closer than you would...