Why the Atlanta Hawks Will Not Bounce Back at Home

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson was giving the company line hours after his team was massacred Thursday night for the second time in three days at the hands of the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers.

"We were in the same situation last year with the blowouts in Boston," Woodson said. "And we were able to go home and make a series out of it."

This year won't play out the same way, and here's why.

1. Injuries

Atlanta may be playing game three (and perhaps even game four) with just two of its five regular season starters. Even if Marvin Williams (wrist) and / or Al Horford (ankle) muster up the strength to play before their home crowd, they won't be nearly as effective as usual.

Joe Johnson, undoubtedly the Hawks' best offensive option, sprained his ankle late in the third quarter of the game two thrashing and hobbled out of Quicken Loans arena late Thursday night with his foot in a boot.

For Atlanta to win a game this series, Joe must be outstanding. If he doesn't even play, the Hawks have no chance. In any event, if his 2009 postseason performance thus far is any indication, he'll be a near non-factor even if he does play.

2. LeBron James

While the eventual champion Celtics were undoubtedly a force last year, they didn't have anyone with LeBron's ability to dominate and demoralize at any place on the court on both ends of the floor. Zaza Pachulia could intimidate and sometimes contain Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen could have a bad game or three, but LeBron almost never offers opponents that luxury. The Hawks (and virtually every other team in the NBA) have no answer.

3. No Surprising Anybody This Time Around

Everybody now knows Philips Arena is a tough place to play. Last year they didn't. The determined Cavaliers won't be making the Celtics' mistake of overlooking Atlanta's home crowd. Even if the high-flying home version of the Hawks comes out running and gunning at the Highlight Factory, Cleveland will remain focused. Expect LeBron & Co. to bring it hard and early in games three and four.

4. It's the Second Round

The Hawks were playoff-starved when they bounced back after being routed in their first two playoff games by Boston last year. Not only was it the franchise's first chance to prove themselves before a postseason home crowd for the first time in a decade, but they were also on fresh legs.

This time around, the hunger the Hawks displayed last postseason is glaringly absent. They also jumped right into Cleveland less than 48 hours after closing out a long seven-game series with Miami. Playing seven physical games and flying five times in 12 days takes its toll...especially when you're up against the best team in the NBA, with the league MVP, who's coming off a convincing first round sweep and nine days' rest.

Finally, Atlanta's season is essentially already a success. Last year the Hawks made the playoffs; this year they advanced to round two. They established themselves as the fourth best team in the East (regardless of how big the gap may be between four and three). Given the trouncing and sure fatigue these Hawks must be feeling, all signs point to another Cleveland sweep in round two.

This article is not meant to be a downer, nor is it meant to discredit all that the Hawks have accomplished this season. This is a young team on the brink of a long stretch of success.

Atlanta fans have every right to be excited about the future—but this is LeBron's year. In 2009, we're just a speedbump.