Hawks advance past Wizards after Pierce's game-tying 3 overturned

For the first time since 1970, the Atlanta Hawks have advanced to the conference finals.

The Hawks defeated the Washington Wizards by a score of 94-91 on Friday to win the series 4-2. They will face the Cleveland Cavaliers to decide who will represent the East.

Related: Eastern Conference Finals schedule; Cavs-Hawks kicks off Wednesday

Paul Pierce nearly sent the game into overtime with a last-second buzzer-beater, but replays showed The Truth still had his fingertips on the ball when time expired.

The Hawks were led by Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague and DeMarre Carroll, who combined for 65 points. Their effort bested the Wizards' dynamic backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, who posted 49 points in the heartbreaking loss.

Turning Point

When the Hawks needed it most, they turned to what they do best: ball movement and cutting.

With the score tied at 89 with under a minute left, Teague and Al Horford ran a high pick-and-pop. With Horford being a threat to score, the Wizards had to commit a big to the perimeter. However, that allowed Teague into the lane.

In response, Wall helped on Teague's drive, but Carroll peeled off Wall and cut to the basket. He then caught the pass to give Atlanta the lead.

After Nene missed a wild driving layup on the ensuing possession, the Hawks turned to the exact same play - and netted the exact same result. Carroll again wiggled free for a layup and pushed the lead to four.

The Wizards still nearly managed to send the game into overtime, but Pierce's shot was a split second too late.

Star Performer

When four Hawks starters appeared in the All-Star Game this year, it was a testament to the team's unselfish style of play. Their system of quick ball movement, heady cutting and willing passing led them to 60 wins and the top seed in the East.

But it was Carroll - the only Atlanta starter not to earn All-Star honors - whose star shone brightest Friday. Carroll posted a team-high 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, with 10 rebounds and two steals to boot.

Carroll mostly gets his looks within the Hawks' flow offense. But that undersells his uncanny ability to squirt free behind the Wizards' defense to find easy buckets on cuts. Carroll scored the last two shots for the Hawks in this fashion, twice leveraging Wall's aggressiveness into open layups.

Carroll also put the clamps on Pierce on defense (save for the would-be game-tying shot). He held Pierce to 1-of-7 shooting as the crafty veteran only managed four points and was rendered a liability with his woeful defense.

Highlight Reel

Teague fakes Drew Gooden out of the lane:

Atlanta's ball movement is beautiful:

Additional Highlights

• Pierce nearly ties it at the horn
• Korver ends Otto Porter with filthy block

Series at a Glance

Game 1: Wizards 104, Hawks 98 (Wizards lead 1-0)
Game 2: Hawks 106, Wizards 90 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Wizards 103, Hawks 101 (Wizards lead 2-1)
Game 4: Hawks 106, Wizards 101 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: Hawks 82, Wizards 81 (Hawks lead 3-2)
Game 6: Hawks 94, Wizards 91 (Hawks win 4-2)

Alternate Series at a Glance

Wizards fans will always have "Playoff Wittman":