2015 Playoffs: (1) Atlanta vs. (8) Brooklyn

While I was hoping to see Indiana get the 8 seed with Paul George's return, they proved tonight that they just don't have the offense to give the Hawks a run for their money. I hate the Nets but they won't last long. Maybe Joe Cool gets a win against his home team but I'd say Hawks in 5.

If Paul Pierce's recent remarks hold any water, a sweep in which the Nets still look competitive may still be overly optimistic. In any event, I'll take the Hawks in four; the Nets are outmatched and without KG or Pierce this time around, they lack capable veterans with a "warrior" mentality. That's not to say they're losing every game by 30, but I don't think they'll be able to put up much of a fight against a tough Hawks team.

Strangely enough, I actually had a dream last night where the Brooklyn Nets won the NBA championship... so, Brooklyn in 4.

In reality, though, probably the Hawks in 4.

Shwept

Sweep for Eastern Spurs with two games being a blowout win.

I will boldly say that this series is going to be competitive.

HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME
Lopez has been extremely hot lately. We know what healthy Lopez is capable of. Bojan's also coming around with his Euro game. Newly acquired Thad Young has been also nice. These guys had great success in late season and pushed off Miami Heat for the last spot of playoffs.

No Thabo and Mike Scott
Dennis Schroder, Bazemore, Elton Brand, Antic are the bench people. One worrisome issue is that Bazemore is all they got at the wing. This is still nice depth with Schroder playing at high level this year but their starters will have to be at their best for most of the series.

On paper, the Nets are actually quite deep. You have Jarrett Jack backing up Williams, then there is Bojan or Merkel backing up each other depending who starts, with Alan Anderson next in line. Then there is Mason Plumlee who is actually quite good.


That said, I still like how the Hawks have been playing as a cohesive unit. Hawks in 6.

I was always against predicting the actual amount of games, yet I always did it.

Hawks win, let's say in 5. Brooklyn always dissapoints.

The Hawks are playing Brooklyn.

Tabo was taken down by racist NYPD right before the series.

Does anyone else smell a conspiracy?!?!?!



In all seriousness, Hawks still sweep, but losing Tabo means that they don't stand a chance of making it to the finals. He's one of those very uniquely irreplaceable defensive players, a la Raja Bell.

Sweet sweepin' for the Hawks

The Hawks should steam roll over the nets. I don't buy any of the garbage stats any of the nets players have been putting up. When the Bulls beat them in the playoffs, I was convinced this team has no heart

After the Bulls I am rooting for the Hawks to represent the east.

Call me crazy but i do think this series could go down to 7 i really cant decide but id probably take the hawks because of home court

Well, strange outcomes do happen. It just seems like the slimmest of slim chances here though; some big wins aside, they've been mediocre at best this season, and they're the only Playoff team in the East that has a losing record against the rest of the conference. Whereas a team like the Celtics managed to claw their way up, the Nets kind of just hung around and almost made the Playoffs by default, when the Heat faltered and the late push by the Pacers fell short. I'm not saying they'll get blown out in every single game, but I don't like their chances of winning one game, let alone pushing the Hawks to the brink.

And now that I've said that, watch them win Game 1, I suppose.

If I'm Brook Lopez, I'm furious at the guards for not getting me enough touches. It was ridiculous - Lopez had a smaller man on him, yet he doesn't get the ball. There should be a fight in the Nets locker room right now. Shaq, Isiah and Rick Fox pretty much said the same thing.

Sweep. Hawks in 4

Weirdly enough, their games are actually decided on an average of 6 points. Brooklyn's not giving up.

If I'm Brook Lopez, I'm furious at the guards for not getting me enough touches. It was ridiculous - Lopez had a smaller man on him, yet he doesn't get the ball. There should be a fight in the Nets locker room right now. Shaq, Isiah and Rick Fox pretty much said the same thing.

Good catch, jeff.

Lopez has been red hot coming into the playoffs but he's not done much so far in this series.

No calls for either team at the end here. Lets see how this plays out.

Wow. This is a series,

Wow. Deron turns back the time and had a huge game. Kinda seems like a response to the recent harsh criticism.

I'll put my hand up and admit that I didn't give the Nets enough credit, though a Hawks sweep did seem like a no-brainer.

Wow. This is a series,

Meh, hawks could just as easily end this in 6

Lopez has been the player of the series so far.

21.3pts
11.0reb
1.0stl
2.3blk
while only averaging 21.2% usage rate. His teammates have been real inconsistent though.

The problem for the Hawks seem to be disappearance of Al Horford. He's probably having a tough time against Lopez. Also DeMarr and Kyle have literally been the best players for the Hawks by wide margin. You'll have tough time winning a series that way especially against better teams.

Daron Williams MVP.

Daron Williams MVP.

Daron Williams