The NBA playoffs are finally here, and first-round matchups are set to get underway. One of the most interesting series in the Eastern Conference is the one between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics are heavy favorites in this matchup, but the Hawks have some tricks up their sleeves to try and pull off an upset.
Atlanta’s Offense Underestimated
While the Celtics have a better defense than the Hawks, Atlanta’s offensive potential is being underrated by betting markets. The Hawks won their way to playoff contention with an impressive showing against last year’s Eastern Conference champions, Miami Heat.
The hiring of Quin Snyder earlier in the season has been instrumental in improving Atlanta’s offensive philosophy. Since Snyder joined the coaching staff, the team has scored an average of 121.1 points per 100 possessions, making them one of the best offenses in the league.
Key Players on Both Sides
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are key players for the Celtics who helped lead them to a successful regular season. They will be tasked with leading Boston past Atlanta in this series.
For Atlanta, Trae Young is a crucial offensive player who can create his shot from anywhere on the court. However, he has long been known as a defensive liability which can limit his effectiveness against teams like Boston who boast top-tier defenses.
Can Snyder Solve Their Defense?
While Snyder has improved Atlanta’s offense dramatically since taking over as coach, he must now find ways to solve their defensive struggles if they want a chance against Boston’s tough defense.
Snyder is encouraging his team to embrace more 3-point shots which could score enough points on its own to help them win games. However, they must also find ways to stop Boston’s powerful duo of Tatum and Brown while protecting Young as much as possible.
Prediction
The Boston Celtics are heavy favorites in this matchup, and for good reason. Their defense is one of the best in the league, which could stifle Atlanta’s potent offense. Additionally, the short nature of this series means fewer chances for injury and more time to rest for Boston.
Atlanta will try to protect Young to avoid being picked apart by Boston’s defense, but this strategy may lead to disadvantages elsewhere that the Celtics will exploit. Nonetheless, with Snyder’s offensive wizardry, they could potentially win a game or two.
Overall, it is likely that the Celtics will come out on top in this matchup. But, fans should expect an entertaining series filled with plenty of offensive fireworks from both sides. The second game of this series will take place on Tuesday at TD Garden.
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