The Hawks know for sure they will play Boston in the first round of the playoffs this weekend, with or without home-court advantage.
Still up in the air is how ready they'll be.
That's not just because Atlanta centers Zaza Pachulia and Al Horford are still hobbled by injuries. The Hawks also haven't provided strong evidence lately that they can win a seven-game series against a quality opponent such as Boston.
“You don't want to go limping into the playoffs,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “You want to go in there feeling really good about yourselves with a good taste in your mouth.”
Atlanta (38-26) can ensure it will have home-court advantage by finishing a game ahead of Boston (37-27). The Hawks can guarantee it by finishing the regular season with home victories against the Clippers Tuesday and the Mavericks Thursday.
Defeating those opponents, both of whom are headed to the playoffs, also would give the Hawks some confidence and momentum before the playoffs. The Hawks squandered a chance at that when they lost 113-112 Sunday to the Knicks at Philips Arena.
“It wasn't like we get blown out,” Hawks forward Josh Smith. “If we didn't compete at all, I probably would be concerned. We played well; we just came up short.”
The Hawks could say the same after several recent games against playoff-bound teams. They are 6-8 in such games since March 1, and their three most recent victories against those opponents came with caveats.
The Knicks were missing star forward Amar'e Stoudemire when they lost 100-90 to the Hawks March 30. Stoudemire was back in the lineup Sunday and had 22 points and 11 rebounds to help New York win without defensive ace Tyson Chandler at center.
The Hawks earned their first victory in three games against Boston Friday. But the Celtics rested stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo even though home-court advantage in a likely series against the Hawks was at stake. Ray Allen, who was listed as injured, also did not play.
Atlanta won 109-81 at Orlando April 13 but the Magic had just learned that center Dwight Howard's back injury might keep him out of the playoffs. Howard had surgery Friday and is out through the playoffs.
The Hawks would get a major boost if Pachulia can return for the start of the playoffs. He's missed five consecutive games with a sprained left foot and it's still not clear when he will be back in the lineup.
Pachulia has had a career year while starting 46 games in place of Horford. He's particularly needed against Boston because of his post defense, rebounding, and toughness.
Horford appears to be more of a long shot to return for the playoffs. He hasn't played since Jan. 17 surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle and has sent mixed signals on his status since returning to full-contact practice last week.
Horford last week expressed frustration with the pace of his progress. By Sunday, he said there's a 70 percent chance he could return to play against the Celtics. But Monday Horford told Yahoo Sports that he plans to play in Thursday's final regular season game against Dallas after earlier in the day telling them it's not realistic for him to play in the postseason at all.
Horford would significantly boost Atlanta's sluggish offense if he returns and plays at close to his normal level. But the Hawks have played most of the season without him and the team has tempered expectations of a return even as Horford began to express optimism.
With Pachulia and without Horford, the Hawks generally have been a very good defensive team and an average offensive team. The defense has held up against some good offensive teams but the offense has struggled against good defensive opponents—a bad sign against the Celtics, one of the best defensive teams in the league.
Atlanta will face tests at both ends of the floor against their final two opponents. The Clippers are a top-five offensive team while Dallas ranks in the top 10 defensively.
“I am just looking for consistency and a strong finish,” Drew said.
