The Hawks have employed a Hack-a-Plumlee strategy during their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series against the Nets.
It played big dividends in Game 5.
The Hawks have fouled Nets reserve center Mason Plumlee when he enters the game. The poor free-throw shooter has indeed struggled making 2 of 8 from the line.
Nets coach Lionel Hollins admitted to being caught off guard by the Hawks’ strategy. Elton Brand has played just 13 seconds in the series and that was to foul Plumlee in Game 2.
Hollins insisted he would adjust before Game 5. However, he could play Plumlee just seven minutes in relief of starter Brook Lopez due to the Hawks strategy. Lopez was visibly tired at the end of the game as he played 39 minutes.
“He’s been gassed the last two games,” Hollins said after Game 5 Wednesday. “It’s really difficult. He’s a big man and we just couldn’t afford to sub with another big man.”
The seven-footer finished with 15 points and three rebounds. Only five points and two rebounds came in the second half.
“You can never be sure how people are going to sub or react or any of those things,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Thursday. “It’s just trying to put us in our best position to win. There are a lots of side benefits (of the strategy) you could go down and list if you wanted to. If (Brook Lopez tiring) is one of them, it’s part of the game. It’s part of trying to find a way to win and put us in the best position we can.”
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