Hawks-Cavs Preview: Keys to Victory in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals began with a feeling of excitement and hope. Down 0-1 to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was a belief that the home team could tie up the series and that luck was on their side.
DeMarre Carroll, who many thought would be lost for an extended period of time to a serious knee injury, was in the starting lineup. Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers All-Star point guard, was sidelined for the duration of the game due to ailing knees.
The Hawks sported throwback 1980’s uniforms which had a rousing effect on the crowd at Philips Arena, channeling nostalgia and memories of the days of the great Dominique Wilkins.
But, all this euphoria was for naught, as the Hawks laid a massive egg, much to the disappointment of their raucous crowd and fans everywhere.
“Though Game 2 has left a sour taste in the mouths of the Hawks and their fans alike, all hope is not is lost.”
Throughout the course of a disappointing Game 2, the Atlanta Hawks failed to adhere to the system that Coach Mike Budenholzer has sought to ingrain in their psyches during the 2014-2015 season. The players seemed to be disengaged and lethargic, favoring isolations and selfish play instead of crisp ball movement and spacing the floor.
To add insult to injury (pardon the pun), Kyle Korver was lost to an ankle sprain which will prevent him from suiting up for the remainder of the playoffs, and Al Horford seemed to injure his knee in the 4th quarter. Though Game 2 has left a sour taste in the mouths of the Hawks and their fans alike, all hope is not is lost.
According to ESPN.com, teams possessing a 2-0 series lead in the NBA playoffs have gone on to win their series 94 percent of the time. While it is statistically improbable that the Hawks can overcome their current deficit, there remains a glimmer of hope.
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Kent Bazemore echoed this sentiment following Game 2 by stating, “I still think we’re the better team.”
In league history, only 3 teams have come back from an 0-2 hole after losing two games on their home court. The most recent example is the 2005 Dallas Mavericks team that vanquished an 0-2 lead by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the postseason and went on to win the series.
Granted, that was the first round of the playoffs, and this is the Eastern Conference Finals with the Hawks countering the greatest player in a generation. However unlikely it may seem, a complete turnaround by the Hawks is not out of the realm of possibility.
With the lingering injury to Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love out for the remainder of the postseason, the Hawks still can exploit certain match-ups to beat a team who is dealing with their own misfortunes.
“I still think we’re the better team”-Kent Bazemore
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In order to rectify the errors made in the first two games of this series, the game-plan that the Hawks must employ to have a chance of winning Game 3 is as follows:
1. The Hawks front-court must exploit mismatches: Both Al Horford, and to a greater extent Paul Millsap, must take advantage of their match-ups with Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson. Both Mozgov and Thompson are rim defenders. Horford and Millsap have to bring them away from the basket, making a high percentage of their midrange jump shots to bring them away from the paint. Once that space has been created, it allows Jeff Teague and Dennis Schröder to penetrate unfettered. This also creates spacing for the Hawks wings to hit long range field goals because of their play inside.
In Game 2, Al Horford posted a -27 while on the court, and for a reason that totally eludes me, played incredibly passive. Horford and Millsap must assert themselves down low in order for the offense to operate smoothly.
2. Don’t double team Lebron James: There. I said it. Lebron is going to get his points anyway, so don’t let him get others involved. The past 2 games, the Hawks have decided to employ double teams of James, and it has had a horrible effect on their defensive play. When a double team is employed, it leaves the likes of Matthew Dellavedova, JR Smith, and Iman Shumpert open from outside the perimeter, allowing them open looks from 3. A lack of open looks diminishes the threat of a long range barrage.
James himself has not been killing the Hawks, it’s both him and the rest of his team on the floor. By playing man defense, and just allowing James to get his points, it allows the Hawks to defend the perimeter more effectively, and limits the output from the Cavaliers wing players
3. Don’t switch defensively and don’t cheat: During the regular season, the Hawks were most effective when they avoided switching because of the mismatches that result from it. For some reason though, during the ECF, the Hawks have decided to switch defensively. When Dennis Schröder is switched on Lebron James, you have absolutely no chance to contest his shot or contain him. By committing to man to man defense, it limits mismatches that the Cavaliers can exploit.
The Hawks have also been cheating a lot on defense, which creates open lanes and shots for the opposing players. Sticking with their assignment will manifest itself in more contested shots and more misses by the Cavs.
4. Boxing Out and limiting the Cavs rebounding: The Hawks have never been a force to be reckoned with on the glass. One of the main reasons that the Cavaliers have a series lead is their ability to get second chance points by securing offensive rebounds. The Hawks must do a better job boxing out and limiting Thompson and Mozgov from procuring the offensive board and giving their team another shot opportunity.
The Hawks have never been efficient in securing offensive rebounds because their style of play dictates that instead of going for the board, they get back down the court to mitigate the chance of a basket in transition. While this is a sound defensive strategy, it is not working in this series. Tristan Thompson is simply dominating both the offensive and defensive glass, and the Hawks must limit his ability to secure rebounds on both ends.
5. Bench Production: Pero Antic and Mike Scott have both been disasters for the Hawks coming off the bench. Antic can’t seem to hit a shot, and Scott’s defense is a liability when he is on the court. Dennis Schröder has also been erratic and turnover prone, with the Cavaliers outscoring the Hawks by 12 points when he was on the floor in Game 2.
If the Hawks are to have any shot in this series, the bench must produce when the starting 5 is on the bench. Coach Bud should utilize the talents of Mike Muscala and Shelvin Mack, two players who are more efficient and less prone to turnovers. Both Muscala and Mack also have a better chance at hitting an open jump shot than Antic or Schröder, and are much less turnover prone.
With the loss of Korver, Coach Bud should also find some minutes for the under-used John Jenkins to offset the loss of the Hawks best shooter. If Jenkins can find some open looks and make the best of the minutes afforded to him, it will slightly mitigate the loss of Korver.
If the Hawks can effectively execute these strategies, perhaps we will see a Game 5 at Philips Arena next week.