Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors: Matchup to Watch
Individual matchups can determine the outcome of many games. What is the matchup to watch for the Hawks’ showdown with Toronto?
The Atlanta Hawks are lined up for a fight against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
This is a potential first-round playoff preview and could give us a glimpse into what could be the deciding factors in a future series. And there is one head-to-head matchup that could tilt the balance of power between these two teams.
That would be the power forward battle between Paul Millsap and Serge Ibaka.
These two guys are among the ten best players at their respective position and make for a very exciting battle. Both players can score on the inside and out, and can both really defend.
For the Hawks, this matchup is very close to a must-win.
Millsap is their best player and in order to beat top teams, he cannot be dominated by the opposition. However, he will have his hands full in getting his offense going against Ibaka. Ibaka’s 7-4 wingspan provides issues for the 6-8 Millsap but is nothing that should totally overwhelm him.
Millsap is a crafty offensive player that uses smooth post moves and is dangerous in the pick-and-pop. The Hawks need Millsap to be the steadying offensive presence that he has been throughout his tenure with the team and give them a consistent inside scoring threat to complement scoring guards Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr.
His creativity should be enough to get him to around his scoring average (18.2 points per game) against the athletic Ibaka.
The Raptors have, thus far, gotten their money’s worth with Ibaka.
In seven games with the team, Ibaka has averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. Not to mention he has knocked down his three-pointers at a 46% clip. He has stepped up for the Raptors in Kyle Lowry‘s absence and given them a secondary scoring option to help DeMar DeRozan.
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But he is facing one of the best defensive power forwards in basketball with Millsap. Millsap is only 6-8 but is very strong and smart on the defensive end. Ibaka may struggle to back down the stout Millsap on the block and to beat him in the pick-and-roll. Millsap is good in reading pick-and-roll and the absence of Lowry makes that aspect less threatening for Atlanta in this game.
If the Hawks are to beat the Raptors, Ibaka cannot outplay Millsap. And that is unlikely because Millsap is, frankly, the better player.
The variety that Millsap brings on offense should be able to beat Ibaka’s defense, which is good but not great. And Millsap’s defensive skill should be able to limit large volumes dunks and pick-and-pop jumpers, which is a lot of Ibaka’s offensive game.
Nonetheless, Ibaka is a good player in his own right. His athletic advantage against Millsap could allow him to wreak havoc, making him a wild card against anyone. If Ibaka plays hard, he is hard to stop.
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Get your popcorn ready. This matchup will be fun.