NBA Playoffs 2011: Three-Pointer Helps Hawks Pull Away From Bulls, Take Game 1

In a close game, the Hawks needed someone to step up. Derrick Rose and the Bulls had won close games three times against the Pacers—twice at the United Center. Including the playoffs, Chicago was 39-5 at the United Center. So how did they lose?

The Hawks stepped up.

By shooting 51.3 percent from the field (compared to 44.6 percent from Chicago) the Hawks found a way to stun Chicago and take a 1-0 series lead on the road; something that really helped them against Orlando.

Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 34 points, and him and Jamal Crawford made huge shots in the fourth quarter to power Atlanta to a 103-95 win. Atlanta got two free throws from Zaza Pachulia at the end of the third, giving them a 72-71 lead.

Early in the fourth, Johnson stepped up and drained a triple near the top of the key. With Atlanta up 77-71, Jamal Crawford got the ball on the left corner and knocked down another triple. The 10-0 run helped Atlanta take control of the game and pull away.

With Atlanta on top 84-75, Joe Johnson passed to Jamal Crawford, who passed back to Johnson. Johnson took a triple from the right corner, and it went in. Atlanta was up 87-75. However, a 6-0 Chicago run cut the Hawk lead to six.

So what did Atlanta do? They turned to Johnson and Crawford, who have done great during the playoffs. Both knocked down a long jumper, and a bucket by Josh Smith, a technical free throw and two more from Jamal gave Atlanta a 96-85 lead. With Atlanta up 98-90, Crawford pulled up from the wing and knocked a triple down, sealing the deal.

Atlanta finished with the 103-95 win. Johnson now averages 20.3 PPG during the entire playoffs, while Crawford leads the team with 20.7. Before the playoffs, I said Jamal Crawford would step up, and Atlanta would take Orlando, and that they could go far with Crawford leading the way. Look where Atlanta is now!

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Chicago.