2010 NBA Playoffs: Atlanta Hawks Are Up 2-0, But Real Playoffs Start Saturday

Ok. I understand that the Atlanta Hawks have looked pretty good in their opening games against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.

The Hawks are stepping up and doing what they were expected to do after posting a 34-7 record at home this season. Atlanta’s 34 wins at home this season was tied with three other teams for the second-best home record. The Hawks, Orlando Magic, LA Lakers, and Denver Nuggets were outdone by the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 35-6 showing at Quicken Loans Arena.

However, between the above-mentioned teams, only the Nuggets have a below .500 record in away games like the Hawks do. When Atlanta has to play away from their beloved Philips Arena this season, a.k.a. “The Highlight Factory”, the Hawks are 19-22.

That is why the real Game One for the Atlanta Hawks is this Saturday. In the first two games of the series, Atlanta has come out ready to play and has jumped all over the Bucks. I expect to see this again in Game Three. I think every Hawks supporter does.

A Bogut-less Bucks team simply cannot matchup against the Atlanta Hawks; a sweep is an absolute must.

With the first two games of the series played out, there are only two things that concern me: Brandon Jennings and Milwaukee’s comebacks.

After his 34-point playoff debut in Game One, Jennings was smothered by Atlanta’s Joe Johnson and finished with only nine points on 3-of-15 shooting from the field, including just 1-of-6 from the three. In spite of his Game Two performance, Jennings didn’t waste time in proving that his lack of experience in the playoffs will not lead to a lack of production and effort.

Also, Al Horford and Josh Smith have continued to dominate in the paint. The two combined for 34 of Atlanta’s 46 total points in the paint in Game One. In Game Two, Smith and Horford combined for 34 of Atlanta’s 48 points in the paint.

Smith missed a triple-double by one assist last night. He also had 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Johnson led the Hawks in points again. He finished with 27 points. He shot better than .500 from the field, including 2-of-5 from the three-point line.

All five of the Hawks' starters scored in double-figures—just like in Game One. However, just like in Game One, the Hawks’ bench failed to reach double figures total. Atlanta’s bench has only a total of 12 points after the first two games.

Considering that Atlanta has let the Bucks make comebacks in both games, a weak bench leaves me concerned. If the bench continues to have its troubles and the Bucks are able to make a run like they did in Atlanta, the Hawks may not be able to survive the stampede in Milwaukee.