Smooth Performance of the Night: Millsap's all-around game helps Hawks even series

With John Wall sitting out and the Washington Wizards having already won Game 1 in Atlanta, Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series was a must-win for the Hawks.

Paul Millsap ensured the Hawks left for D.C. with a split of the first two games.

DeMarre Carroll (game-high 22 points) and Al Horford (18, 6, 4, 3 and 2) both came up huge in the 106-90 Hawks victory, but as has been the case in the majority of Hawks wins this postseason, Millsap rose slightly above the rest.

The Hawks' power forward finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals, bringing his postseason averages to 15.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.4 steals and a block through eight games, with Atlanta performing 22.9 points per 100 possessions better with Millsap on the court as opposed to on the bench, according to NBA.com.

It was Millsap's third consecutive game recording at least five assists, something he hadn't done in his previous 17 contests before a series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

That playmaking ability from their big men, particularly from Millsap, has been a key factor in Atlanta's playoff run thus far, with Millsap's 69 total touches and 47 passes second only to point guard Jeff Teague on Tuesday.

His defense at the four-spot was also instrumental in limiting Wizards big man Nene to an 0-for-5 performance in the 21 minutes they shared the court together.

Millsap enjoyed another All-Star caliber season for the 60-win Hawks, but the pending free agent's complete game has been somewhat of a revelation for those who didn't tune in to many Hawks games throughout the year.

Millsap's averages make him just the third player - after Larry Bird and Charles Barkley - to average at least 15, 10, four, two and one in a single postseason, minimum eight games played.