Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks: 5 Bold Predictions

Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks 5 Bold Predictions For Round One Matchup

Apr 8, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) reacts after missing attempts to score in the finals second of the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 114-111. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets were able to sneak into the NBA Playoffs, going right up until the final night of the NBA regular season to clinch a spot. Their reward now is to face off against the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks.

If the regular season is any indication, the Nets are in for a long series against the Hawks. In four regular season games, the Hawks won each meeting by an average of 16.75 points per game. Two of those meetings even came in the last 11 days of the regular season, making that mark that much more embarrassing for the Nets, as they actually had something to play for while the Hawks were resting players and preparing for the postseason.

This has been a series years in the makings, dating all the way back to when the Nets acquired shooting guard Joe Johnson from the Hawks in the summer of 2012. That trade put both teams on the paths they are currently on, and it is fitting that they will be facing off in a postseason series three seasons afterwards.

While this series has a chance to be one of the most lackluster of the opening round based on regular season results and matchups across the board, everyone gets a clean slate in the postseason. The veteran Nets squad shouldn’t lay down like they seemingly did at times during the regular season, and with heightened expectations, can the Hawks handle the pressure? We will find out starting Sunday evening when they tip off Game 1. Until then, take a look at some of our bold predictions for the Nets and Hawks first round series.

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