Hawks-Wizards Conference Semis Headed for Epic Finish with ECF Battle Looming

If the Atlanta Hawks' 106-101 Game 4 victory over the Washington Wizards was any indication, then the Eastern Conference semifinals are set up for epic finishes across the board.

As the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls prep to square off in what's amounted to a best-of-three set after LeBron James knotted the series at two games apiece Sunday afternoon, the Hawks rediscovered their offensive identity and followed suit Monday evening.

On both sides, stars came to play, threes flowed at a high clip and finishes were delivered with ferocity and craftiness. It proved to be the formula for one of the most entertaining Eastern Conference playoff games the second round has had to offer. 

Early and often, the Hawks made it clear that they weren't going to be plagued by the lethargic disease that infected their offense in Games 1 and 3. With Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague and Al Horford setting the tone, Atlanta outscored Washington, 32-16, in the paint in the first half. In balanced Hawks fashion, all nine players who saw floor time scored at least five points, and the team's 48 paint points were supplemented by 47.4 percent shooting from three. 

"We played well tonight," Teague told TNT's David Aldridge in his post-game interview. "It was a must-win for us and we took care of business."

Teague finished with a team-high 26 points and eight assists to go with a 9-of-20 shooting display that included two hits from deep. Those numbers, as relayed by ESPN Stats & Info, were a departure from the ones he posted earlier in the series:  

The key—as it often has been for the Hawks offense in victorious efforts—was turning the intensity up as a way to facilitate a balance of inside and outside looks. 

"We just got to be aggressive," Teague told Aldridge. "When we're aggressive, we're a lot better getting in the lane, getting shots for other people. Tonight we did that, and we got a win."  

So for one night, it was mission accomplished.

Horford's mid-range jumper was on point, evidenced by his six conversions outside the paint. Millsap also hit the Wizards with his full arsenal of moves, which included transition dishes, up-and-under scoop shots and decisive ball-handling in the pick-and-roll. 

Beyond Atlanta's return to form, the series was set up for a compelling finish behind the emergence of Bradley Beal and Washington's uncharacteristic flamethrower mentality from beyond the arc. 

Beal sat for a grand total of four minutes in the loss, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say it was the best game he's played three years into his young NBA journey. The 21-year-old scored a playoff career-high 34 points (11-of-25 shooting, 4-of-8 from three) while dropping at least seven dimes for the third time in as many games. 

TNT's Brent Barry explained what made Beal's performance so special: 

While the Hawks got busy burying the Wizards with their determination at the rim, it was Washington's three-point shooting that continued to defy everything we've learned about the team's shot-taking preferences.

Washington canned 10 first-half triples—double the Hawks' total in the first 24 minutes—and generally continued to baffle those who watched the Wizards pepper the rim with mid-range attempts during the regular season, per NBA.com's John Schuhmann:  

And that's where fascination in the next two—and possibly three—games stems from.  

Not only do both sides have playmakers capable of stepping up in big spots, but we're watching teams chasing the same prize with contrasting mindsets. 

As the Hawks seek to harness the identity that got them to this point, the Wizards are dashing common tropes left and right. 

Willing to settle for inefficient jump shots? Not anymore. Monday night, the Wizards launched 26 treys and 14 mid-range jumpers, and the distribution probably should have skewed higher in favor of the three. 

Credit: NBA.com/Stats

The other layer of intrigue revolves around the long-game.

Although star power is usually a prerequisite for front-running status, this year's Eastern Conference title contenders shouldn't be framed by that rule of thumb. 

Even though the Bulls and Cavaliers are both superior in said regard, it's not like either squad is in a position that would indicate it's head and shoulders above their foes on the same side of the bracket. 

Chicago hasn't been consistent enough scoring the ball to be considered heavy favorites over Washington or Atlanta, and Cleveland's dealing with dings to LeBron James (ankle) and Kyrie Irving (knee, foot) as Kevin Love (shoulder surgery) gazes on from afar. 

Also, neither the Cavs or Bulls are playing their best ball of the season as they search for refined offensive formulas, and the Wizards very well may be as they enter Game 5 with a 6-2 record in postseason play. The Hawks still have some work to do in that regard, but as Monday night's performance showed, it doesn't take long for them to look like the 60-win team that sauntered into the East's top spot. 

Admittedly, Atlanta doesn't have a tried-and-true superstar, and the Wizards are devoid of one so long as John Wall's looking dapper on the sidelines in his plaid sportcoat and red pants. However, both teams have proved capable of letting elite execution outweigh individual greatness. 

With those formulas setting up an epic finish, it's not hard to envision a world in which the eventual victor of the Hawks-Wizards showdown makes some serious noise in the next round, too. 

All stats are current as of May 11 and courtesy of NBA.com unless noted otherwise.  

Alec Nathan covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @AlecBNathan.