2015 NBA playoffs preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets
No. 1 Atlanta Hawks (60-22) vs. No. 8 Brooklyn Nets(38-44)
- Game 1 in Atlanta: Sunday, April 19, 5:30 p.m., TNT
- Game 2 in Atlanta: Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET, NBATV
- Game 3 in Brooklyn: Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 4 in Brooklyn: Monday, April 27, TBD
- Game 5 in Atlanta (if necessary): Wednesday, April 29, TBD
- Game 6 in Brooklyn: (if necessary): Friday, May 1, TBD
- Game 7 in Atlanta (if necessary): Sunday, May 3, TBD
Season series: Atlanta, 4-0
Points per game (per 100 possessions): Hawks 102.5, Nets 98.0 (Hawks 108.9, Nets 104.4).
Points allowed per game (per 100 possessions): Hawks 97.1, Nets 100.9 (Hawks 103.1, Nets 107.1).
Matchups worth watching: Hawks PG Jeff Teague vs. Nets PG Deron Williams, Hawks C Al Horford vs. Nets center Brook Lopez
Scoring leaders: Hawks F Paul Millsap (16.7 points per game), Nets C Brook Lopez (17.2 points per game).
Why Atlanta will win: The Hawks space the ball better than anybody, and the Nets have only intermittently played the kind of disruptive defense that allows them to stay in games, while lacking the quickness to close on perimeter shooters when offense is properly executed. The Hawks have depth well beyond Brooklyn's, and it isn't clear who on the Nets will guard Teague or Dennis Schroeder. Kyle Korver is a three-point shooting machine.
Why Brooklyn will win: Brook Lopez is playing as well as any center in the league since he returned from a foot injury earlier this season. Joe Johnson can take over games, especially late. Deron Williams looked, at times, like the elite Utah version of himself late in the year. Superfan Mr. Whammy has a negligible but measurable effect on free throw shooters at Barclays Center.
Did you know? The Hawks have six different players averaging double figures in scoring, and the best player intro production values in the NBA.
Prediction: Hawks in 5.
