Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets: Matchup to Watch

Mar 26, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) is defended by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Nets defeated the Hawks 107-92. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) is defended by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Nets defeated the Hawks 107-92. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks need a win on Sunday in Brooklyn. Which matchup could decide the Hawks’ battle with the Nets?

The Hawks cannot afford to lose to the Brooklyn Nets twice in a seven-day span.

Last Sunday, the Nets came to Philips Arena and throttled the Hawks, 107-92, in a dismal performance by Atlanta. The Nets secured their sixth road win of the season in that game and that was the lowest point of the Hawks’ seven-game losing streak.

The team is in desperate need of a win, once again, after a loss to the Bulls. Who knew that an April game against the Nets would mean so much?

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And if the last matchup is indicative, the position battle to watch is fairly obvious.

The center battle between Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez was crucial in the last game and will be crucial once again. Lopez led the Nets with 23 points and was the offensive anchor that they needed him to be. Howard has some flashy numbers of his own with a 19-point, 16-rebound double-double.

That game was a show of skill be two excellent centers but in order for the Hawks to ensure a victory, the matchup will need to be more one-sided.

Howard’s biggest advantage over Lopez is on the glass. Howard averages more than double the amount of rebounds that Lopez does per game (12.9 to 5.4). That advantage should go hand-in-hand with Howard repeating his offensive success in the last matchup. The ability to create his own offense off of offensive rebounds is big. That will also give the Hawks much-needed extra possessions due to offensive struggles with Paul Millsap out with an injury.

Lopez is one of the most skilled scorers at the center position in the NBA and is, by far, the best scorer on the Nets’ roster. Howard’s strength on the low block should allow him to hang with Lopez in the paint, despite the fact that he is not the shot-blocker that he once was. But, Lopez’s ability to stretch the floor makes him dangerous.

If the Nets can draw Howard away from the paint, then layups could be easy to come by. Especially with Millsap out. But if Howard can wear down Lopez on the glass and in the post, then that should help the Hawks’ chances of containing him greatly.

This is not a game that the Hawks should lose in any scenario. But the Hawks have not been the same without Millsap. And with the team just 2.0 games ahead of the ninth-place Indiana Pacers, this game is a must-win.

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The hometown hero needs to take it to Lopez. Or missing the playoffs may become a likelihood if the Hawks lose this game.