The formal schedule says the Miami Warmth are taking part in the Atlanta Hawks of their first-round NBA playoff sequence. However the actuality is that the overwhelming problem for Erik Spoelstra’s crew would be the singular problem offered by Hawks guard Trae Younger.
If there have been any doubts in regards to the take a look at forward for the Warmth, they have been addressed in Friday evening’s winner-take-all recreation between the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers, when Younger scored 38 factors, together with 32 within the second half, in Atlanta’s 107-101 victory in Cleveland to shut out the play-in spherical within the Jap Convention.
So make it Warmth vs. Hawks within the best-of-seven opening spherical of the NBA playoffs, beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. at FTX Area.
The Hawks completed the common season No. 9 within the East, then received a loser-go-home recreation Wednesday evening towards the visiting Charlotte Hornets, who closed the common season No. 10 within the East. Then got here Friday evening’s victory over the Cavaliers, who completed the common season No. 8.
The Hawks current extra of a problem than a typical No. 8 seed, when factoring within the dynamic scoring of Younger, the taking pictures of Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari and Kevin Huerter after which the within drive of middle Clint Capela, well being permitting.
The Warmth went 3-1 towards Atlanta in the course of the common season.
Warmth vs. Hawks matchups
Middle: Capela appeared in solely two of the 4 regular-season conferences, however averaged 10 rebounds and 11.5 factors in these two video games, having usually outmuscled the Warmth inside. Bam Adebayo led the Warmth in scoring within the season sequence, however his 22.5-point common got here in solely two appearances. It finally will come right down to Capela’s drive versus Adebayo’s versatility, offered Capela can push previous the hyperextended proper knee that took him out of the second half of Friday evening’s recreation in Cleveland. Edge: Warmth.
Energy ahead: This come right down to accidents, with the Warmth’s P.J. Tucker recovering from a calf sprain and the Hawks’ John Collins making an attempt to work again from finger and foot points which have had him out since March 11. When each are wholesome, Collins is the one referred to as upon to provide excess of Tucker. Nonetheless, Collins didn't go for greater than 16 factors in any of his three appearances towards the Warmth this season. If Collins can’t go, then Gallinari possible once more would get the decision right here. Edge: Hawks (if Collins performs).
Small ahead: Jimmy Butler was terrible within the first spherical final 12 months for the Warmth and has to have vengeance on his thoughts. Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter endured a tough evening within the groups’ most-recent assembly, however has the flexibility to excel on each ends, simply maybe to not Butler ranges. Butler averaged 18.7 factors, 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 rebounds in his three video games towards the Hawks this season. Edge: Warmth.
Taking pictures guard: This may come right down to make or miss, with Max Strus not too long ago recast in a beginning position for the Warmth and Kevin Huerter filling the position for the Hawks. Each are able to breakout 3-point moments. Strus shot .462 on 3-pointers towards the Hawks this season, Huerter .333 towards the Warmth. Edge: Even.
Level guard: Kyle Lowry was added within the offseason to have the Warmth taking part in from a place of power at level guard. But on this matchup, if Lowry can simply preserve it even with Younger, it is going to be a web acquire for the Warmth. Younger averaged 25.5 factors towards the Warmth this season, with a excessive recreation of 35. Edge: Hawks.
Bench: The Warmth arguably preserve their finest participant in reserve, with Tyler Herro taking part in as sixth man. Caleb Martin additionally figures to have a major position sequence as a (try-to-be) Younger stopper. For the Hawks, depth may come right down to well being, from Collins permitting Gallinari to play off the bench, to Bogdanovic transferring previous the ankle sprain that had him questionable towards the Cavaliers. Herro averaged 20 factors and seven.7 assists in his three video games towards Atlanta this season. Edge: Warmth.
Intangibles: The Warmth went arduous for the No. 1 seed, which meant homecourt all through the Jap Convention playoffs. That has to matter. The final time the Hawks received on the highway towards a top-six seed within the East was Dec. 23 in Philadelphia. However the Hawks have the expertise of a returning roster that superior to final season’s Jap Convention finals. Nonetheless, one crew can have flown in from Cleveland 39 hours earlier than tipoff, whereas the opposite has remained in South Florida all week. Edge: Warmth.
Teaching: The final time the Spoelstra labored the playoffs towards Nate McMillan, the Warmth swept the Pacers within the 2020 first spherical, with McMillan dismissed by Indiana shortly thereafter. Edge: Warmth.
Prediction: Warmth in six.
Schedule
Recreation 1: Sunday, 1 p.m. FTX Area, TNT.
Recreation 2: Tuesday, 7:30, FTX Area.
Recreation 3: Friday, State Farm Area, Time 7 p.m., ESPN.
Recreation 4: Solar., April 24, State Farm Area, 7 p.m. TNT
Recreation 5*: Tue., April 26, FTX Area, Time TBA
Recreation 6*: Thu., April 28, State Farm Area, Time TBA
Recreation 7*: Sat., April 30, FTX Area, Time TBA, TNT
* — If crucial
(All video games out there in South Florida on Bally Sports activities Solar.)
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