Atlanta Hawks: Why Winning Game 5 is Crucial
After two losses on the road to the Celtics, the Atlanta Hawks desperately need a win as they return home on Tuesday night.
The Atlanta Hawks need a win Tuesday night after suffering two major losses on the road to the Boston Celtics, resulting in a tied series at 2-2. Home court advantage has proven to be a tremendous aid for both teams, as both of their wins have taken place on their own court.
For Atlanta, pulling off a win in Game 5 is critical to their success in the rest of the series. This is their chance to go up 3-2 before heading back to Boston on Thursday.
Considering their lack of triumphs on the road in Games 3 and 4, a Game 5 win at home would make everyone a bit more optimistic about the Hawks’ success in the remainder of the series.
Though another win for the Hawks’ would not cause the Celtics to lose all hope for the series, it could potentially take a hit at their confidence at home in Game 6, giving the Atlanta Hawks an advantage on the road.
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This series has been a tough one for the Atlanta Hawks – no game has been less than nerve-racking. It seems as if every time the Hawks break away with a big lead, they can’t maintain it.
While everyone would love for Game 5 to be a total blowout, odds are the Celtics are not going to go down without a fight. Luckily, the Hawks do have a few secret weapons, and their names are Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, and Kyle Korver.
If Paul Millsap can perform like he did in Game 4, with a record-setting 45 points, the Hawks should be just fine. The problem with Game 4 was that Millsap was carrying the team himself.
Of the Atlanta Hawks’ 95 points in Game 4, 45 of those belonged to Millsap. Behind him was Teague with 13 points and Korver with 10. Clearly some players are going to have to step up and put up game changing points if they want to come out with a win.
Although Game 4 wasn’t Jeff Teague’s night, everyone knows that when it’s “Teague Time,” he’s going to put the game in Atlanta’s favor.
Kyle Korver, who usually disappears during the playoffs, has been stepping his game up recently. He was the Hawks’ lead scorer in Game 2 with 17 points, and with the exception of his two points in Game 1, has been a steady contributor with 10 or more points per game.
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Tonight’s game will not be easy. The Hawks will most likely start out strong early, and then allow the Celtics to make it a game in the second half. In the end, all we can hope for is a Game 5 win.