POINT GUARD
Jeff Teague is the All-Star. The Hawks guard proved that this year. He averaged 15.9 points and 7.0 rebounds. In four games against the Nets, he averaged 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. Deron Williams is not the same player he once was. His numbers are down this season — particularly against the Hawks. In three games this season he averaged 9.3 points and 6.7 assists. Teague is the better defender. The Nets have veteran savvy off the bench in Jarrett Jack. However, Dennis Schroder might be the league’s most improved player.
Edge: Hawks
SHOOTING GUARD
Kyle Korver makes opposing coaches game-plan for him. The same cannot be said for Markel Brown. Korver averaged 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He fell short of joining the 50-50-90 club by finishing with season percentages of 48.7 from the field, 49.2 from 3-point range and 89.8 from the free-throw line. The rookie Brown averages 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds. The Hawks lost some depth on the wing in Thabo Sefolosha (broken fibula).
Edge: Hawks
SMALL FORWARD
This one is close. DeMarre Carroll is a top defender, and his offense has been a big plus for the Hawks, especially since the All-Star break. He averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. Joe Johnson always has a chip on his shoulder against the Hawks, his former team. He averaged 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season. He struggled in several of the games against the Hawks this season. The Hawks have defensive depth behind Carroll with Kent Bazemore. The Nets counter with good shooting in Bojan Bogdanovic.
Edge: Hawks
POWER FORWARD
Paul Millsap, the two-time All-Star, missed five of the final six games with a right shoulder injury. He is still battling soreness and trying to get back into midseason form. Even so, he is the Hawks’ best player. He led the team in points (16.7) and rebounds (7.8). Thaddeus Young does present problems. In four games against the Hawks, with the Timberwolves and Nets, he averaged 16.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The Hawks have versatility on their bench at the position. They have quickness and outside shooting in Mike Scott or height and rim protection in Mike Muscala.
Edge: Hawks
CENTER
The Nets’ Brook Lopez has slightly better numbers (17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds) than the Hawks’ Al Horford (15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds). The Hawks have a size disadvantage against most teams, and especially the 7-footer Lopez, who recently won two Players of the Week awards. He averaged 18.8 points against the Hawks this season. Horford will need to pull Lopez away from the basket with his mid-range game. The Hawks gain the advantage with their bench as they can counter with Pero Antic, Elton Brand and Muscala. The Nets really have only Mason Plumlee in reserve.
Edge: Hawks
BENCH
The Hawks’ bench has been one of its biggest strengths all season. That will be the case in this series. The Nets simply don’t have counters for the likes of Shelvin Mack, Schroder, Bazemore, Scott, Antic and Muscala.
Edge: Hawks
COACH
Mike Budenholzer guided the Hawks to a franchise-record 60 wins. Lionel Hollins has had his hands full navigating a season with a changing roster and injuries to reach the playoffs with 38 wins. Hollins is a veteran. However, Budenholzer is a coach-of-the-year candidate as a part of the Hawks’ transformation. Hollins said this of the playoff matchup: “I don’t think we have any advantage over the Hawks.”
Edge: Hawks
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