The Atlanta Hawks Could Reach Conference Finals Tonight
By John Buhler
The last time the Atlanta Hawks played in a Conference Finals, the team played in the Western Conference. Atlanta had won the West during the 1969-70 regular season back when the Association had just 14 teams. The Rockets played in San Diego and the Washington franchise was known as the Bullets. Lew Alcindor led the Milwaukee Bucks. Led Zeppelin IV wouldn’t be released for another year and a half. And this happened two rounds before the Willis Reed Game in Game 7 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the eventual champion New York Knickerbockers.
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The NBA had been in the Peach State for just two seasons. The Hawks were a perennial title contender when they played in St. Louis with stars like Bob Pettit and Lenny Wilkens. So much has happened in the world since the Hawks have played in a Conference Finals. Should the Atlanta Hawks defeat the Washington Wizards either tonight in DC for Game 6 or at home Sunday in a potential Game 7, Atlanta would reach its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance ever.
But it’s not going to come easy at all tonight. Expect the Wizards to play mad after letting Game 5 slip away in the finals second at Philips Arena Wednesday night. Coach Mike Budenholzer needs to have his Atlanta Hawks team playing inspired basketball tonight. He should emphasize that the next time his team should play at home, it will be against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Finals.
Al Horford came up huge Wednesday night as he was the first player in franchise history to score 20 points, collect 10 rebounds, and block 5 shots in a playoff game. Where Atlanta can win decisively tonight is through attacking the paint and getting the Wizards into foul trouble. The bench for Washington on Wednesday night was a non-factor as only Otto Porter, Jr. scored any baskets for the Wiz. Nene will play angry and Bradley Beal will get his points. But if Atlanta’s big men can once again make life difficult for Marcin Gortat, the Hawks won’t have to play a Game 7 at home Sunday Night.
We’re on the brink of history, Atlanta. Our Atlanta Hawks have performed admirably all year and the team is having its best season arguably ever in Georgia. Let’s hope that the team doesn’t lay an egg in Game 6 tonight. But keep in mind that Atlanta found a way to drop Brooklyn on the road in Game 6 and have already won a game on the road in DC this series. Worst case scenario: Game 7 at home Sunday.
Tip off for Game 6 between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards comes at 7 PM ET. Now is not the time to get cute and complacent. The series isn’t over until someone has won four games. Let’s Go Hawks!