Hawks' Dwight Howard: Records first double-double of series Monday
Howard finished with 16 points (6-14 FG, 4-5 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist and one block across 30 minutes of run during Monday's 111-101 win over the Wizards.
Analysis:
After recording just 18 combined points in the first three games, Howard as much more effective on the offensive end in this one and rounded out his double-double by leading the team in boards. His strong play also his breaking of the 30-minute barrier for the first time in four games and he led all Hawks starters with a plus-eight rating. Howard will need to deliver more performance such as this for his team to stand a chance of pulling out this hotly-contested series, as he is still averaging just 8.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game in the postseason despite this most recent development.