Playoff Roundtable: Atlanta Hawks-Brooklyn Nets Preview
By Adam McGee
What’s your series prediction?
AMcG: It’s very difficult to do in the modern NBA, but i feel the Hawks get this one done in four. They don’t bring and arrogance or a cockiness to the table, and I can’t see Budenholzer allowing them to be complacent in any way. They’ll go out their and do their job clinically like the professionals that they are.
VM: Hawks in 5.
CR: Hawks win 4-1
MMcE: Hawks in 5.
NK: Since 2003, when the current playoff format was established, 8 out of 12 #1 vs #8 East matchups were either sweeps or won in five-games to the higher seed. From how they have performed, I don’t see the Nets being an anomaly.
They are the only playoff team sporting a negative point differential, playing against the only Eastern Conference club in the top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency. Lionel Hollins may have said it best with the worst pep talk of the year exclaiming he “doesn’t think we [Nets] have any advantages over the Hawks.”
That being said, it’s still hard to win four straight against any one opponent, but this a mismatch. Hawks in 5..
Next: Hawks/Nets Key Matchup: Jeff Teague vs. Deron Williams
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