Atlanta Hawks Playoffs Schedule 2012: Odds and Predictions for 1st-Round Series

With just one game remaining in the 2012 NBA regular season, the Atlanta Hawks know all but one thing as the playoffs approach: who will have home-court advantage?

In one of the most highly-anticipated round one matchups in recent memory, the streaky Hawks will take on the red-hot Boston Celtics. Neither team will have a good time dealing with their opponent, making this a series that could come down to the final buzzer in every game.

Here are the keys for the Atlanta Hawks as they look to swing the scoreboard in a favorable direction.

Schedule for first-round series:

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Boston at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri. May 4, Atlanta at Boston, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun May 6, Atlanta at Boston, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Boston at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Atlanta at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Boston at Atlanta, TBD, TNT

Superstars Who Must Shine

You can call upon Josh Smith as many times as you'd like, folks, because there is no player more important to the Hawks' success than Joe Johnson. Absolutely no one.

From December to February, Joe Johnson was absolutely horrific. The Hawks' $18 million man was averaging just 17.6 points per game, while shooting just 42 percent from the field. That's a continued drop from a year ago, as he's gone far down from his 21.6 points on 46 percent shooting in 2010.

Fortunately for Atlanta, he's turned it on since then.

Over the span of both March and April, Johnson is averaging 20.5 points on 49 percent shooting. This is the type of play that Johnson must offer the Hawks, as he's poised to square-off against All-NBA performers Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Role Player Who Must Emerge

With Rajon Rondo at the heart of the Boston Celtics' offensive and defensive gameplan, it's pivotal that the Hawks possess depth at the point. Chances are Jeff Teague will commit more than a handful of fouls before this series is all said and done, making the key to depth a player who has missed a majority of the season.

Kirk Hinrich is as heralded for his perimeter defense as he is his perimeter shooting, yet both aspects of his game seem to be lacking since returning from an offseason shoulder surgery. Fortunately, the past five games have offered a change of fortune as Hinrich is shooting 54 percent from distance.

If the Hawks hope to stand a chance at slowing Rondo down or picking up this victory, they must receive this type of an effort from the former Kansas Jayhawk.

Offensive Strategy to Watch

Stretch the Perimeter to Work it Down Low

Josh Smith has made drastic improvements from a year ago, becoming a much more well-rounded player that has finally learned how to properly utilize his talents. To defeat the Boston Celtics, he must continue to display that knowledge by playing close to the basket.

While the Hawks are the type of team that can catch fire from the perimeter at any given moment, they're not inapt to cold streaks. With that being said, they're one of the few teams that utilizes outside shooting to open up the low-post game.

While many have a tendency to go low and stretch high, the Hawks are a team that will find their rhythm from the perimeter for nearly a full half before hitting the paint. Once they do hit the paint, though, they're as difficult as any to defend.

Defensive Strategy to Watch

Switch Up the Bigs

Regardless of what position Kevin Garnett is playing, Josh Smith is going to be on him. Smith's length, athleticism and perimeter savvy are the perfect counter to KG's re-emergence as a mid-range killer. It's also the type of match-up that enables more favorable defensive match ups for the other Atlanta players.

A perfect example is the pairing of Zaza Pachulia against Brandon Bass. Both are effort players who will crash the boards. The major advantage for Atlanta is that Pachulia has a height, weight and strength advantage over Bass. Not everyone can claim the three-headed monster there.

Biggest Hurdle in the First Round

The Atlanta Hawks have the youth and athleticism to stretch the floor and pick the Celtics apart. They also lack the championship pedigree that the Boston Celtics possess, making this a fair balance that just one thing truly prevails from.

Unfortunately for Hawk fans, the clincher goes in the Celtics' direction.

The loss of Al Horford may be too much to overcome. Should Boston's hot shooting continue, it's hard to imagine the Hawks being able to combat it.

A highly competitive series will lead to optimism, but the Big Three and Rondo may just be too much to overcome. As will Avery Bradley and a rejuvenated supporting cast.

Last-Second NBA Playoffs Prediction

Despite a surprisingly efficient year with Al Horford sidelined, the Atlanta Hawks' playoff run will be short and bitter. Another year where Hawk fans can only wonder, "what could have been?"

A major offseason overhaul could finally do the trick and take Atlanta to the promised land.

Atlanta Hawks—2  Boston Celtics—4