Cavs vs Hawks: Previewing winner-takes-all Play-In Game
Cavs vs Hawks: Prediction
How limited is Jarrett Allen? If he can play and offer something approaching his normal level of defense and rebounding, with a dash of right-handed hook shots mixed in even if the left isn’t feeling it, the Cavs should feel good about their chances of winning a game at home. The youth of this team should mean Bickerstaff can lean on his stars to play the vast majority of the minutes.
On the other side of the ledger, the Hawks are a little banged up too. Just as Kevin Love could be a weak spot defensively for Cleveland, Atlanta has to play Danilo Gallinari big minutes in the absence of John Collins. Both teams have a number of soft spots to attack; which team can manipulate the matchups accordingly?
Atlanta is playing very well of late, and they deserve to be favored. Young looks unstoppable right now, and there is a theory to their starting lineup that works well together. Cleveland is still figuring things out; the Hawks know who they want to be, and their significant advantage in postseason experience will give them yet another edge.
Cleveland wins this game if the role players hit their shots, if Allen plays and walls off the rim from the easy lob passes, and if Garland is just as good as Young. Otherwise, the Hawks have a few more avenues to victory, and the most likely outcome is that they pull it off and make it back to the playoffs.
Prediction: Atlanta 119, Cleveland 115
Bet: Atlanta (-2.0), OVER
Next. Cornelissen’s NBA Awards Ballot: How do the Cavs factor in?. dark
If things do play out that way, the Cavs will end their season disappointed but optimistic. An offseason awaits where this team can restock the roster around their young core and prepare to take another step forward. Win, and the unenviable task of taking on the Miami Heat, starting Sunday, commences.