Pierce's shot too late, Hawks hold on to beat Wizards 94-91

Paul Pierce shimmied to his left and launched a 3-point try, hoping to extend the Washington Wizards' season by forcing overtime in Game 6 of the teams' second-round series.

The shot swished, apparently tying the score at the buzzer. Pierce raised his arms; both teams began thinking about OT. Then, though, the play was reviewed, showing the clock expired before Pierce released the basketball.

Atlanta made it to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time. The Hawks edged the Wizards 94-91 on Friday night, thanks in part to a fraction of a second -- and DeMarre Carroll's playoff career-high 25 points.

After trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, the No. 1 seed Hawks won three straight games. Now Atlanta will host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the conference finals Wednesday.