The series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks are currently tied, 1-1. It’s been an entertaining series so far, with both teams taking turns in the limelight. With the series headed to Atlanta, will the Hawks recapture the series lead? Or will the Sixers go back to back? Check out our preview of this game below.
Joel Embiid wasn’t going to allow Atlanta to score another win in Game 2, as he torched the Hawks for 40 points in 35 minutes. He also had 13 rebounds and a couple of steals. Again, there wasn’t anyone on the Hawks team who could contain Embiid one on one. Clint Capela is merely a sacrificial lamb for the Cameroonian, though the Sixers know they can’t just ride on their big man all the way, knowing he’s not yet 100 percent healthy. The good thing is that Tobias Harris and even Seth Curry are providing ample support on offense. Both players are averaging 21.0 points in the series. Shake Milton scored 14 points in 14 minutes to give the Sixers a huge boost in Game 2. Ben Simmons is making only 10.5 points, but he’s more focused on playing defense together with Matisse Thybulle. They did their job in Game 2, as the Sixers held Trae Young to just 6-of-16 shooting from the field, though they can still do better.
The Sixers are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games overall. The over is 5-0 in their last five games after an ATS win.
The Hawks’ offense in Game 2 did not fly high. They shot around six percent worse in that game than in the series opener and made nine fewer threes (11/30). Young was slowed down as mentioned earlier, but he still ended up with 11 assists and an 8-of-9 shooting line from the charity stripe. There were also just so many turnovers for Atlanta in Game 2, as the Hawks committed 17 turnovers to just seven by Philadelphia. The Sixers really turned on the heat defensively in that game and now it’s up to Atlanta how it would respond. Young should be loving the challenge just as he had in the first round against the New York Knicks. It wouldn’t be a stretch to expect him to explode in Game 3. Cut down on turnovers and shoot better. Those are the keys for the Hawks in Game 3.
The Hawks are 5-1 against the spread in their last six Friday games. The under is 8-2 in the Hawk’s last 10 games overall.
