How were the Hawks able to find their way into the 2022 postseason? While Trae Young’s 38 points in their win over the Cavaliers on Friday night was certainly a factor, the Hawks effort on the other end of the floor was equality as important.
The Hawks entered the second half trailing by 10, and while the offense found their rhythm in the second half, the defense clamped down as well. Entering the fourth quarter with the game tied at 84-84, the Hawks, in a raucous Rocket Mortgage Arena, held the Cavs to just 17 points in the final 12 minutes to earn their spot in the playoffs—something that Greg Clarkson & Sam Crenshaw have been waiting to see.
“This team has rediscovered team defense…They out-rebounded Cleveland even without Clint Capela which was encouraging to see. They’re looking more and more like the team from this time last year, and you wonder where it’s been all year,” Crenshaw said.
Crenshaw also mentioned the improved ball movement by the Hawks, which Clarkson said shows Young’s evolution as a superstar point guard.
Onyeka Okongwu and Delon Wright combined for just four points against Cleveland, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. With a combined +45, the pair can be credited with leading the way on defense and they’ll hopefully bring a similar intensity on that end during the upcoming series with the top-seed Miami Heat.
The Hawks will have their hands full against a Heat team that comes in at full strength with Jimmy Butler leading the way. Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and P.J. Tucker are back after missing time at the end of the regular season.
The Hawks will be without Capela for at least a few games after he suffered a knee injury Friday night, but there is hope that John Collins will return from foot and finger injuries at some point during the series after he was upgraded to ‘questionable.’
The Heat did take three of four from the Hawks in the regular season. Game one tips off today at 1 p.m. and can be heard on 92.9 The Game!