The Atlanta Hawks (60-22) have one of the best starting fives in the NBA — it was named the in January and four of their starters (Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague) were All-Stars. The Nets (38-44) sneaked into the playoffs on the last night of the regular season after the Pacers
Brooklyn will have an uphill battle if it wants to knock off Atlanta. The Nets have struggled in matchups against the NBA's best, going 12-31 against .500 or better teams.
Not only do these year's stats tell us the Hawks are the likely victors, but only five No. 8 seeds have ever won their first-round series.
Game 1 — Sun. April 19, Brooklyn at Atlanta, 5:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 — Wed. April 22, Brooklyn at Atlanta, 7:00 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 — Sat. April 25, Atlanta at Brooklyn, 3:00 p.m., TNT
Game 4 — Mon. April 27, Atlanta at Brooklyn, TBD
Game 5 * — Wed. April 29, Brooklyn at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 * — Fri. May 1, Atlanta at Brooklyn, TBD
Game 7 * — Sun. May 3, Brooklyn at Atlanta, TBD
* If necessary
4-0 Atlanta.
As previously mentioned, the Hawks' starting five has been one of the best in the league. The only member of the starting five who wasn't named an All-Star is DeMarre Carroll. Teague is eighth in the NBA in assists per game with 7.0.
The Nets' roster doesn't feature any All-Stars, but still has some talent on it. Brook Lopez is a solid defender and averages 17.2 points per game, which leads the team.
The Hawks just recently lost bench player Thabo Sefolosha for the season after he during a scuffle with police. Mike Scott (back) is also questionable for the team's first game.
The Nets are relatively healthy, as the only player who is questionable is Alan Anderson (ankle).
Hawks in 5.
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