For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.

Atlanta Hawks

Strengths

What the Hawks do well.

• Three point shooting
• Offensive Efficiency
• Transition offense
• Offensive rebounding
• Low turnover rate

Weaknesses

Some problems the Hawks struggle with

• Defense
• Ball “sticks” once in a while
• Poor defensive rebounding

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Hawks play.

• The Hawks love to run every chance they can get.  They have a lot of long and athletic ballhandlers, and that really helps them on the break.
• While Joe Johnson is the teams best scorer, if they need a basket late it tends to go to Jamal Crawford.  Crawford has a couple buzzer beaters for the Hawks this year, and he is a solid player in the clutch.

Key Set

Not the most run set, but maybe most important.  A play that the team likes to run when they need a basket.  You are probably going to see this play run once or twice a game.

• Al Horford Cutting To The Basket

When you think of Al Horford, you think of his back to the basket game, however, Horford is also very mobile/quick for his size.  That makes him available to become a cutter for his teammates.  In fact, Horford shoots 71% on shots coming out of cuts.  So this kind of offense is very effective for the Hawks.

Milwaukee Bucks

Strengths

What the Bucks do well.

• Defensive efficiency
• Defensive rebounding
• Low turnover rate

Weaknesses

Some problems the Bucks struggle with

• Offense since the Bogut injury
• Poor shooting (especially at the rim)

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Bucks play.

• Since the Bogut injury, the Bucks have relied on their defense.  They don’t have a ton of offense, so keeping their opponents from scoring is their best chance to come away with wins.
• On the offensive end, without Bogut the Bucks’ have started to ignore the post-up game.  They use a lot of pick and roles with Kurt Thomas as the screen setter.  They also run a lot ISO plays with Brandon Jennings and John Salmons.

Key Set

Not the most run set, but maybe most important.  A play that the team likes to run when they need a basket.  You are probably going to see this play run once or twice a game.

• Pick and Roll – Kurt Thomas as the screener

When Andrew Bogut got injured, a lot of what the Bucks ran went out of the window.  What they rely on now is a lot of pick and rolls and ISOs.  The Hawks like to switch every screen no matter what, so this could be something that the Hawks do a lot of to get mismatches.  The Bucks will have either John Salmons or Brandon Jennings come off of a screen set by Kurt Thomas.  This will force Thomas’ man (Al Horford) to cover either ball handler.  This could lead to a lot of open jumpers.

Key Matchup

Brandon Jennings vs. Mike Bibby

Bogut’s injury has robbed us from watching two very good big men going at it, but there are some interesting matchups here.  Jennings vs. Bibby is the most important one in my opinion.  If the Bucks are going to want to win a few games, they are going to need a second scorer besides Salmons.  Jennings is that guy.  If Mike Bibby can keep him from scoring, the Hawks should win these games easily.

My Prediction

Hawks In 5

Like I said a few times before, the injury to Bogut really hurts the Bucks here.  They are a great defensive team, but I don’t think they have enough scoring power to keep up with the Hawks.  Hawks in 5.