The Atlanta Hawks must close out their first-round series with the Celtics on Thursday or suffer the grim consequences of what will follow.
The Atlanta Hawks take a 3-2 series lead into the TD Garden for Game 6 and have the Boston Celtics on the brink of elimination. After a convincing Game 5 victory at Philips Arena, Atlanta actually enters Thursday’s road game as a 1½-point favorite.
While Game 6 is not necessarily a must win for Atlanta — as a Game 7 would be held in the friendly confines of Philips Arena — a loss would be devastating for a variety of reasons.
First of all, the Hawks blasted the Celtics in Game 5 by a score of 110-83, swinging momentum back their way and discouraging a Boston team that was riding high coming into Atlanta. A loss on Thursday would once again swing the momentum back to the Celtics favor, making it even more difficult for the Hawks to win a potential Game 7.
Even though a Game 7 in Atlanta would heavily favor the Hawks, there is no telling what could occur in the final game of a long and hard-fought series. The Hawks have displayed a penchant for inconsistent play through the season and could lay an egg at the worst possible moment.
Related Story: Hawks Snap Out of Shooting Slump in Game 5 Victory
Despite the absence of Avery Bradley throughout the series, the Celtics have persevered, giving the Atlanta Hawks trouble. The main reason why Boston has survived is because of the play of the recently hobbled Isaiah Thomas, who will play in Game 6 with a sprained ankle.
The Hawks can’t become over confident following Tuesday’s 27-point victory. Even with an injured Isaiah Thomas, coach Brad Stevens and the Celtics have shown the tenacity to push this series to a Game 7.
Another reason why it is simply imperative that the Hawks close out the Celtics in Game 6 is the rest component, should they advance.
The second round of the playoffs is set to begin next Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who at this point would have had one week off following their sweep of the Pistons.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
The last thing the Hawks need is to go into a series against a rested and rejuvenated LeBron James and Cavaliers squad after playing a difficult Game 7 only two nights prior. It would give Cleveland a huge advantage from the onset of a potential series.
Of course, the most important reason why the Hawks must win Game 6 in Boston is that they may not win again this postseason. If the Celtics win and steal back momentum, anything can happen. All of the sudden, instead of playing Cleveland in the second round, you’re packing up your locker.
The Hawks have never won a playoff game in Boston; and behind what should be a raucous crowd at the TD Garden on Thursday, it will not be an easy task. The Celtics fed off the crowd’s energy in Games 3 and 4, helping them knot the series at two games apiece.
Next: Golden State Warriors: 5 Takeaways From First Round Series
The focus now is on whether the Hawks can win the big game that they should win. If they have a letdown game, however, all bets are off for Game 7.