Ya hawks are a great defensive team but they allow open jumpers, if that means they got the paint on lock. Thats their defensive philosophy. They were able to close out in time during the regular season but against Cleveland it's so hard to keep Bron out of the paint and they decided to give up open shots as long as Bron doesn't score 45. I don't think thats the right way to play this Cleveland team. Hence the reason they got swept and have lost like 12 in a row to the Cavs but that was their game plan.
I know Atlanta was 22nd in Spot Ups allowed.
I forgot how to find but I remember seeing a stat that showed they were like 26th in allowing open threes. So their ability to force turnovers and protect the paint is great but they do allow open perimeter shots.
Atlanta is Golden State-lite personnel & scheme wise and was a great prepatory series for the Cavs last season for the Finals.
Cavs have excelled against teams like the Hawks in the past because they are a great perimeter defensive team and have LeBron who destroys teams who use schematic defensive principles based on switching and mobility like Atlanta and Golden State.
LeBron has struggled in his career against teams with great size at the 4 and 5.
LeBron will dominare this series. He's too good of a passer and finisher to be stopped. If Durant could finish and pass like LeBron, OKC wins that series in 5 or 6 even with their porous shooting.
Not even gonna ask you how.
Nailed it.