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Atlanta Hawks: 4 Keys To Winning Game 2

By Jonathan Savitske

May 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 104-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 104-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks rallied in Game 1, but ultimately fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are 4 keys for them to tie the series on Wednesday.

May 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 104-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 104-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Hawks were at one point down by 18, but a furious rally led by Dennis Schroder allowed the Hawks to get back into the game and even take the lead late in the fourth quarter. Though the comeback ultimately fell short because of some key misses and turnovers, the Hawks showed encouraging signs heading into Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For one, the fact that the game was as close is it was down the stretch is cause for optimism that this series is not a retread of last year’s dreadful Eastern Conference Finals. The Hawks showed tenacity in rallying from an 18 point deficit against a Cavs team that had shot lights out in the first half.

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The Hawks role players were key to getting Atlanta back in the game, as the majority starting lineup (with the exception of Kent Bazemore) did not play well at all. Kyle Korver was 0-for-1 from the field with three points. Al Horford finished 4-for-13 with only 10 points, while Paul Millsap had a team low plus/minus of -16 to go along with 6-for-19 shooting from the field.

While Atlanta did do a better job cleaning the glass — finishing the game holding a 48-44 rebounding advantage over Cleveland — Tristan Thompson still gave the Hawks frontcourt fits, securing important offensive boards late and giving the Cavs important second chance opportunities.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Atlanta Hawks

Given some of the encouraging signs and some of the issues the Hawks encountered in Game 1, here are four keys for the Hawks to knot the series on Wednesday.

Next: No. 4

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