Who would be the best Play-In Tournament matchup for the Atlanta Hawks?
The Brooklyn Nets would be the matchup if the Play-In Tournament started today
As likely as it is to change between now and the end of the regular season, the idea that the Hawks could draw the Nets out the gates is daunting. It is simply a bad matchup with Kevin Durant versus anyone and, now, they have Irving available no matter the location, health permitting.
Brooklyn fell to Charlotte in their most recent game, but they are 7-3 over their last 10 games and sport the fourth-best net rating in the league in that span.
They have also beaten the Hawks twice already meaning they could get the sweep on Apr 2.
Both meetings have been close with the Hawks falling by just nine points and eight points, most recently losing 113-105 on Dec 10. The Nets still had James Harden in both previous meetings but will have Irving instead when they next meet.
Irving has played well this season.
He’s averaging 27.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.4 boards in 22 games this season while shooting 48.0 percent from the floor and 41.3 percent from deep. He did struggle in his home debut with just 16 points on 27.3 percent shooting and 1-of-9 triples. It is somewhat to the Hawks benefit that Brooklyn is worse at home than on the road on the surface.
That is until you realize Irving’s situation has certainly had an impact on that.
Still, the real problem is Durant who is the ultimate mismatch. He’s averaged 31.5 points on 66.0 percent true shooting with 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists against the Hawks. This is arguably the toughest possible matchup.
Next. What type of shooting guard is best for the Hawks?. dark
It is the only one where the Hawks won’t have the best player on the floor. That adds some incentive to root for the Nets as the season winds down to have the best chance to advance. Facing them in a best-of-seven series is still daunting, but the extra chances of getting a win could make anything possible.