Horford Back for Game 4, Can The Hawks Stay Alive?
By John Buhler
Al Horford will not face suspension in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Some good news for our Atlanta Hawks. Finally! Although the team is down three games to none on the road against King LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers, we’re not entirely out of this. So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Live Feed
Betsided
Yes, Lloyd. It’s very slim but the Atlanta Hawks are still alive in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, but barely. With a decimated Atlanta Hawks team almost upsetting the Cavs in what was a heartbreaker in Game 3, Atlanta can win Game 4 and take this series back to Philips Arena if they play with Sunday night’s intensity. Getting Al Horford back could give the Hawks the boost they desperately need with their backs up against the wall.
If I was Coach Bud, I would go all out tonight because there’s nothing to lose in this elimination game. It sounds weird, but it’s true. Kyrie Irving will likely not play again tonight as Cleveland will want him as healthy as he can get for the NBA Finals, so why risk injury in a game the Cavs can afford to lose? LeBron carried his team down the stretch in Game 3 and he looked exhausted when it was all said and done. He’s not a young man any more. Not every 30-year old can play 45+ minutes a game, let alone a guy that has played in five straight Eastern Conference Finals and possibly five straight NBA Finals.
I really liked Kent Bazemore and Shelvin Mack in Game 3. Bazemore filled in magnificently for Kyle Korver Sunday night and Mack played with poise and took away most of Dennis Schroder’s minutes. If Atlanta wants to win Game 4, which I’m sure is the team’s goal, the Hawks can’t make mental lapses if they want to stand a chance. Mike Scott, you can’t let the ball go out of bounds again.
It’s been such a great season for the Hawks. If this is the last game this incarnation of the Atlanta Hawks play together, it’s going to feel really sad for all of us. Don’t worry about your emotions getting the best of you. This ride has been unbelievable for our Hawks and the city is better because of it. I feel like we’ve grown together this winter and bonded over the most unlikely source. While I want the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks to miraculously become the 2004 Boston Red Sox tonight and overcome a 3-0 Finals deficit this upcoming week, I’m eternally grateful that our team has even made it this far. But that doesn’t mean I want 2015 Atlanta Hawks basketball to end tonight. Don’t Stop Believin’. Let’s Go Hawks!