Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2015 NBA Playoffs, Eastern Conference First Round Game 3 – April 25, 2015

The Brooklyn Nets have been tough beats for the Atlanta Hawks thus far in their first round matchup. Brooklyn, however, will have to find a way to win in Game 3. Otherwise, the Nets will fall into the proverbial playoff quicksand AKA a 0-3 series hole. Will the Nets win at home in Game 3 and inject some life to their playoff campaign?

Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this game and while you’re at it, you can check out our Game 3 previews of San Antonio vs. LA Clippers and Cleveland vs. Boston.
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Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets Game 3 Preview

Series Scores & Schedule

Game 1 – April 19, 7: 00 PM ET, Brooklyn Nets 92 at Atlanta Hawks 99

Game 2 – April 22, 7: 00 PM ET, Brooklyn Nets 91 at Atlanta Hawks 96

Game 3 – April 25, 7:00 PM ET, Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets– view all NBA lines

Game 4 – April 27, 3:00 PM ET, Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets

Game 5* – April 29, TBD, Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks

Game 6* – May 1, TBD, Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets

Game 7* – May 3, TBD, Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks

* If necessary

Betting on the Atlanta Hawks

Against a scrappy Brooklyn team, Atlanta relied on its polished offense to repulse the Nets on Wednesday, 96-91. Now up 2-0 in the series, the Hawks travel to Barclays Center eyeing a 3-0 lead. Atlanta is 3-0 SU and ATS in its last three games in Brooklyn.

[sc:NBA240banner ]Atlanta’s Game 2 win must have given the team’s fans a major relief, as Paul Millsap appeared to be back in elite form after a lowly six-point performance in the series opener. Millsap paced the Hawks on Wednesday, scoring 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Al Horford, meanwhile, scored just 10 points (he averaged 15.2 points per game in the regular season) but did grab 10 rebounds. Horford hurt his pinky finger in Game 1, but another day of rest may be enough for the center to get his form back.

One player who’s been playing consistently for the Hawks in this series is Kyle Korver. Korver scored 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting in Game 2. He drilled three triples in that game, and now has 38 points and eight threes in two games thus far in the series.

Outside shooting has played a key role for Atlanta against Brooklyn. The Hawks went 10-for-30 (33.3%) from the three-point area in Game 1, and 12-for-31 in Game 2 (38.7%).

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Betting on the Brooklyn Nets

Don’t be surprised if you see Deron Williams’ name on a missing person report. Based on his two-point performance on Wednesday, Williams may be on his way to losing a starting gig in the series. Williams, however, did a good job on the glass and of making plays for his teammates, as he finished with 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Nevertheless, Brooklyn would be in a better position to win games if Williams can consistently find the bottom of the net. Hopefully for Williams, he’ll do just that when the Nets play Game 3 in Barclays Center, where Brooklyn is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games there. Despite Williams being a non-factor scoring-wise in Game 2, Brooklyn still managed to be close behind the Hawks for most of the ball game. That’s mostly due to Lionel Hollins’ insistence to play small ball. With four guards playing at the same time, the Nets were able to create mismatches on the offensive end.

Joe Johnson or Thaddeus Young can both continue to play power forwards to make life hard for Atlanta’s fours on defense because of their range and quickness.  Throw in Jarrett Jack and Alan Anderson, and the Nets have four players that can stretch Atlanta’s defense and give Brook Lopez more room to operate. Lopez paced the team in Game 4 with 20 points. Also in that game, Johnson scored 19 points, while Jack and Anderson both came off the bench and fired 23 and 13 points, respectively.

Hollins may continue to use the small ball scheme moving forward, which is can get better if Williams and Young can shoot the ball better. Williams went just 1-for-7 from the field in Game 2, and 6-of-18 (33.3 FG%) on the series. Young, who scored 15 points in the series opener, shot 1-for-7 in Game 2 and finished with two points. He is shooting 34.8 percent from the field through two games in the first round.

Writer’s Prediction

Atlanta wins, 98-94.
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