Paul Pierce Wizards 2015
Forward Paul Pierce, left, and the Washington Wizards hold a 2-1 series lead over the Atlanta Hawks prior to Game 4 Monday night. Reuters

After Paul Pierce’s miracle game-winner handed the Washington Wizards a 2-1 series lead despite the absence of point guard John Wall, the Atlanta Hawks try to even the Eastern Conference semifinals on the road Monday night. And later the Golden State Warriors are seeking answers for their poor play of late, while also down 2-1 in the Western Conference semis to the Memphis Grizzlies before their Game 4 tipoff.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each matchup.

Hawks at Wizards

Pierce shot only 5-for-12 from the field in Game 3, but his banked buzz beater put Washington in position to take a commanding lead in the seven-game series. The Wizards will play their third straight game without the All-Star Wall, who suffered five fractures in his wrist and hand and appears unlikely to return in the postseason.

Nevertheless, Washington received 17 huge points, nine rebounds and four assists from second-year forward Otto Porter off the bench, while forward Nene and shooting guard Bradley Beal also dropped 17 points. With Wall out, Beal shared the role of playmaker with veteran guard Ramon Sessions for a combined 14 of the Wizards 27 assists in Game 3. Though Washington was plagued by poor free shooting, going 10-for-29 from the charity stripe.

Atlanta’s patented three-point shooting has taken a huge dive the last two games, but Washington didn’t make them pay for it until Game 4. The Hawks went 7-for-23 from long-range, with Kyle Korver the only starter to connect in Game 3. In Game 2, Atlanta went 10-for-29 from, but its defense was still able to force 16 turnovers and generate an equal amount of points for a 106-90 victory.

More minutes could be in line for rookie Hawks guard Dennis Schroder. The German national broke out for 18 points on 6-for-12 shooting and five assists to zero turnovers in 20 minutes in Game 3, and may serve as the primary weapon against Sessions and Beal as the series wears on without Wall.

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV Channel: TNT

Live Online: A live stream is available at TNT Overtime

Betting Odds: Hawks -4.5, 198 points o/v

Prediction: Atlanta over Washington, 100-90

Warriors at Grizzlies

The Warriors were supposed to roll through the Western Conference in route to the Finals, but have run into the Grizzlies massive defensive wall the last two games. Pestered by Memphis’s stalwart backcourt of Mike Conley Jr. and Tony Allen, Golden State’s trio of deep shooters Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have gone 9-for-42 on three-pointers in the last two games.

The Grizzlies have also forced 37 turnovers in their two victories, a staggering amount given Golden State averaged 14.1 giveaways per game during the regular season. That work’s generated 44 points, plenty to rock a young Warriors squad.

Memphis has also controlled the inside with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol feasting. Averaging 20.7 point and 8.0 rebounds while knocking down 54.3 percent of his shots, Randolph’s proved too much to handle for Green and center Andrew Bogut. Gasol is currently notching a double-double in the series, at 19.0 points and 10.0 boards, though he’s yet to record a block.

Start Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

TV Channel: TNT

Live Online: A live stream is available at TNT Overtime

Betting Odds: Warriors -4, 195 points o/v

Prediction: Golden State over Memphis, 105-98