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Hawks' Schroder doesn't care about his Game 5 line: 'We need a win'

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Entering Wednesday's Game 5 between the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards, it had been 44 years since a Hawk tallied at least 25 points and 10 assists in a playoff game. "Pistol" Pete Maravich posted the line April 4, 1973 against the Boston Celtics in the opening round.

Current Hawks guard Dennis Schroder had a similar line in Wednesday's Game 5 against the Washington Wizards, but as was the case with Maravich's performance, it came in a losing cause.

The 23-year-old led Atlanta with a double-double of 29 points and 11 assists on 10-of-18 shooting in a narrow 103-99 loss at the Verizon Center, giving the Wizards a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series.

"I don't care really about stats. We need a win, and that's all that matters," Schroder said after the game when he was informed his final box score is in the same company as Maravich's.

Schroder has arguably been the Hawks' best and most efficient player through these first five games, leading the team in points (24.4), 3-point percentage (43.8), and assists (7.2) in 34.3 minutes. Atlanta's offense also suffers - if ever so slightly - when he's not on the floor, scoring 3.7 fewer points per 100 possessions.

This series heads back to Philips Arena on Friday for Game 6. If it's any consolation to Schroder, neither team has managed to secure a win on the road in the series so far.

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