The Nets sneaked into the playoffs but will have a hard time keeping their series against the Hawks competitive.
The Atlanta Hawks have been locked in to the No. 1 seed for a while, following a surprising regular season. The battle for the last playoff spot in the East, however, came down to the last day of the regular season. The Pacers couldn't beat the Grizzlies and as a result, the Nets will salvage a little dignity by not missing the postseason despite having almost $90 million in salary.
The Nets should be commended for not giving up after falling from the playoff picture. They posted a 17-13 record after the All-Star break and that was enough to get back in the race in the weak East. Brook Lopez played like a star down the stretch and Deron Williams improved over his poor early play as well. The trade that brought in Thaddeus Young gave the team a jolt of energy and youth that was sorely needed. That being said, the Nets are still a mediocre team at best that could struggle getting a win against the Hawks.
Atlanta has the type of explosive offense that will expose every mistake Brooklyn makes. They have the edge in several positions as well as when it comes to depth. The loss of Thabo Sefolosha leaves them missing a bench perimeter defender but that shouldn't be a problem against the Nets. The only reason to suspect this could be a closer series than anticipated is because Atlanta is unproven in the playoffs and could be surprised on a game or two. Unless something strange happens, however, the Hawks should advance.
THE MATCHUP
- Hawks (60-22, expected record 56-26) vs. Nets (38-44, expected record 33-49)
- Hawks' offensive efficiency: 106.2 | Nets' offensive efficiency: 101.9
- Hawks' defensive efficiency: 100.7 | Nets' defensive efficiency: 105
- Season series: 4-0 Hawks. The Hawks thoroughly dismantled the Nets during the regular season, beating them by an average of 17 points.
4 questions that'll decide this series
We asked our Hawks site Peachtree Hoops and our Nets site Nets Daily to give us the lowdown on these two teams.
1. What is your team's biggest advantage in this series?
Peacthree Hoops: Atlanta's space and pace approach has been a difficult matchup for Brooklyn during the regular season and that is likely to continue in the playoffs. The Hawks are excellent at spacing the floor and knocked down 41 percent of their three-point attempts in the four meetings. They are equally capable of attacking the basket so it is likely to be a pick your poison situation for the Nets on the defensive end of the floor.
Nets Daily: It's tough to find an advantage against the Hawks, who beat the Nets four times this season by an average margin of victory of 17 points, but if there is one it might be that they have "zero expectations" in this series. The pressure is on the Hawks. No one would be surprised if the Nets got swept in this series, which can allow them to play loose and, sadly, is about all I can find in terms of an "advantage."
2. What is your team's biggest disadvantage in this series?
PH: Rebounding has been Atlanta's biggest Achilles heel for most of the season and they have struggled against teams that were able to slow the pace and crash the boards. While Brooklyn also ranks in the bottom third of the league in rebounding, the Hawks must use a team approach to try and hold their own on the glass.
ND: The Hawks are a better team. It's as simple as that. They lost to Atlanta four times this season by a combined 17 points per game. They have the ability to stretch the floor in a way that gives the Nets defense fits and to a point where it opens up the paint to allow for Al Horford and Paul Millsap to eat up the Nets in the paint.
3. Who is the X-Factor that needs to step up?
PH: Jeff Teague. When Jeff Teague has played at an All-Star level the Atlanta Hawks have been virtually unbeatable. They went 17-0 in January with Teague leading the way. He regressed somewhat down the stretch and Atlanta needs him to play at a high level if they hope to advance deep into the postseason.
ND: Joe Johnson needs to step his game up, big time. He's been a disaster down the stretch, and if it wasn't for Brook Lopez and Bojan Bogdanovic the Nets wouldn't be in the playoffs. Of course, this extends to Deron Williams as well, who is known to disappear in big games. Between Johnson and Williams, the Nets really need them to step up their game if they want to make a series of this.
4. What is your prediction?
PH: I can't see Brooklyn taking more than one game from Atlanta and I really feel like it could end up being a sweep in favor of the Hawks. The Nets backed their way into the playoffs and will be going up against the team that is just about the worst matchup possible for them.
ND: I'm going to say Hawks in five games because with the way the Nets played them in the regular season they haven't given me any reason to think otherwise.
Predictions
Ziller | Flannery | Prada | O'Donnell | Nets Daily | Peachtree Hoops |
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SCHEDULE (all times ET)
Game 1: Sunday, April 19. Philips Arena, Atlanta GA. 5:30 p.m. (TNT)
Game 2: Wednesday, April 22, Philips Arena, Atlanta GA. 7 p.m. (NBATV)
Game 3: Saturday, April 25, Barclays Center, Brooklyn NY. 3 p.m. (TNT)
Game 4: Monday, April 27, Barclays Center, Brooklyn NY. TBA
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, April 29. Philips Arena, Atlanta GA. TBA
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 1. Barclays Center, Brooklyn NY. TBA
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 3. Philips Arena, Atlanta GA. TBA
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1CU3iG1
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