With 24 games left in the regular season the Atlanta Hawks have a loose grip on the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. Following up last year's Conference Finals appearance with missing the postseason would be less than ideal. It should be mentioned that the Hawks found themselves in a similar position last year and made the massive push needed to propel them in the Playoffs. Can the Hawks make that same turnaround this year?
While Nick Kayal and Jon Chuckery were filling in on Dukes and Bell, Chuckery gave his three keys to the Hawks making the postseason. Here they are.
1. Improve the defense. The Hawks give up close to 112 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the NBA. In their 30 loses this season they have allowed opponents to shoot 49.4% from the floor and 40.4% from 3-point range. In their 28 wins those numbers fall to 43.8% and 31.8% respectively.
2. Stay Healthy. The Hawks' key contributors this season have missed a combined 135 games this year. With young core pieces like Onyeka Okongwu and De'Andre Hunter missing 20 plus games each. Health has been a thorn in the Hawks' side all year, and with only 24 games left, they have no room for anymore injuries.
3. Gain Ground. The four teams standing in the Hawks' path for the 6th seed are the Celtics, Raptors, Nets, and Hornets. The Hawks' record combined record against those teams this year are 4-6, with five combined games left to play against those opponents. Must win games if the Hawks are to make another end of year resurgence.