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Cleveland Cavaliers: Eastern Conference Finals Preview

By Joshua Howe

Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) passes the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) passes the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

How Atlanta Can Win

JH:

Simple answer: depth.

For the Hawks, they’ve got something Cleveland doesn’t and can’t have and they need to exploit it right from the get-go.

Their bench is superior and, for the most part, their squad is all healthy. No need for cortisone shots every five minutes just to get back out there and play. No, the Hawks have been far from perfect in the playoffs, but health has never been their issue.

They’ve got multiple dudes to throw at James, one of the best shooters in the game in Korver, four All-Stars and arguably their best player in Teague who hasn’t played a single really memorable playoff game yet this year.

He’s due to explode. And with a limping Kyrie in front of him, Teague should be foaming at the mouth to get out onto the hardwood.

The Cavs are pretty good at closing out three-pointers, but that doesn’t mean the Hawks should move away from their game. They need to do what got them this far: move the basketball, get the best look possible and live with it.

They aren’t an isolation team. They don’t have that One Guy, but they do have a great team. If they can finally put that all together and remind themselves how Spurs East looked for most of the season, then the Cavs are in trouble.

AM:

Atlanta can win by playing Hawks basketball. They’ve got to be calm and patient. They’ve got to look for the best shots, not just good ones. In other words, they need to use all the little details and intricacies of their success to pick apart Cleveland.

If Atlanta play to their strengths, they’re just a matchup problem for Cleveland. The regular season meetings between the two proved that. The Hawks came out of the regular season series as 3-1 winners, with the only loss coming behind one of the most incredible shooting performances of the season from the Cavaliers.

Sure, Cleveland are good enough to do that one or two times in the series, but can they do it four times? That’s another question. If the Hawks play to their best, the series will be theirs.

Next: Final Thoughts & Predictions

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