Paul Pierce Buzzer Beater is the “Truth” in Win against Atlanta

The Verizon Center felt like it was shaking when the crowd erupted in excitement and relief as 17-year NBA veteran Paul Pierce pulled up for a fade away jumper with 1.3 seconds remaining to hit a perfect buzzer beater against three Atlanta Hawks players. The made shot solidified the Washington Wizards’ 103-101 victory in the two teams’ third meeting of the 2015 Eastern Conference semifinal series.

With the Wizards All Star point guard, John Wall out due to fractures in his left wrist and hand, many wondered how the team would fare. Despite his absence and his 17-point and playoff-leading 12 assists-per-game average, his team came out fast and furious, gaining an early lead. Power forward Nene led the way early with aggressiveness, power and urgency which helped the team to get off to a decisive start. He apparently had shaken off whatever it was that led him to struggle mightily in the first two games of the series against the Hawks because his overall energy set the tone and helped get the team off to a great start.

Precise, quick ball movement by all of the Wizards players kept their lead strong through the first three quarters, creating plenty of open looks throughout the court and in the paint.

Otto Porter continued his ascension. The forward looked like the third overall pick he was when taken in the 2013 draft, playing another strong game on the national stage. In 40 minutes of play, he finished the night with 17 points and nine rebounds. In one particularly memorable play in the third quarter, he brought the house down with a pivotal slam-dunk off an assist from guard Bradley Beal, which brought the entire crowd to its feet. A time out was called but the energy and the noise did not subside until play began again, with the roars of “Otto-Porter! Otto Porter!” echoing throughout the arena. Porter also scored the next basket with a no dribble, straight-to-the-hoop layup.

In the fourth quarter with less than ten minutes left in the game, the Wizards led by 21 points. The booming energy of the crowd however quickly turned to nervous anxiety when Atlanta’s reserves from off the bench; Mike Muscala, Shelvin Mack, Kent Bazemore, Mike Scott and Dennis Schroder; began to wreak havoc on Washington’s lead, mounting a very swift and efficient comeback early in the fourth quarter.

Careless turnovers and several missed lay ups by the home team led to multiple fast breaks by the Hawks. With 5:30 seconds remaining, Atlanta inched in to close the gap to 10. The vistors continued their comeback push, going on a 17-0 run to bring the score within three points. The Wizards needed to gain more control of the ball offensively, stop turning the ball over and capitalize on every opportunity to score in the paint.

Wizards fans were left feeling gut-punched and shocked with disbelief when, with 14.1 seconds remaining on the clock, Muscalla pulled up and hit a three to tie the game at 101.

As the clock continued to wind down and the possibility of overtime play neared, Paul Pierce received the ball.

With less than three seconds until the end of regulation, Pierce pulled while surrounded by three Hawks players and, with a decisive shot falling down, hit a perfect buzzer beater.

That shot led to the Wizards emerging triumphant at 103-101. The victory gives the Wizards a 2-1 advantage in the series.

Other Notables: Nene, Beal and Porter led the team with 17 points each, followed by Marcin Gotat with 14 points and Pierce with 13.