The Atlanta Hawks will be going to the playoffs for a third consecutive season, clinching their spot as the 7th seed after beating the Miami Heat in the first play-in game.
The game ended 116-105 in Atlanta’s favor, as the team got their revenge over Miami from their last season’s playoff exit. Fans were quick to discuss if the Hawks’ have a chance to succeed in the playoffs.
WE MOVE#Together404 pic.twitter.com/aii9Ny9vAD
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 12, 2023
One fan loved seeing what was happening, “HAWKS COOKING, it’s over for the Heat.”
HAWKS COOKING, it’s over for the Heat pic.twitter.com/L2evA64ygS
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 12, 2023
Fans mocked major news sites for all picking the Heat to beat the Hawks before the upset that was just pulled off.
17 out of 17 NBA Analysts chose the Heat to win.
They don't know ball at ALL. 😠pic.twitter.com/OZz0PruEhg
— HawksMuse (@HawksMuse) April 12, 2023
The depth of rotation in Atlanta earned praise from fans, “The Hawks have some very capable role players… Must be nice, lol.”
The Hawks have some very capable role players.. must be nice lol
— Jo (@MavsStan41) April 12, 2023
Hawks ended a 7-game losing streak in Miami with this win, something Skip Bayless pointed out, “That was as humiliating a home playoff loss as I can ever remember. Hawks had lost 7 straight at Miami. The Hawks are horrible. Tonight, the Heat were even worse.”
That was as humiliating a home playoff loss as I can ever remember. Hawks had lost 7 straight at Miami. Hawks are horrible. Tonight, the Heat were even worse.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 12, 2023
This result also proved the play-in tournament can never be taken for granted, “This Hawks-Heat game is exactly why you wanna avoid the play-in… Miami has been punking Trae nem forever but suddenly it’s their night. Lol.”
This Hawks-Heat game is exactly why you wanna avoid the play-in..Miami been punking Trae nem forever but suddenly it’s their night. Lol
— KenHeLive (@KenHeLive) April 12, 2023
Celtics fans were happy to avoid meeting the Heat in favor of a matchup with the Hawks.
We getting the hawks and the bucks getting the Miami tryhards pic.twitter.com/TJVUgT5rpl
— ` (@JaysGotNext) April 12, 2023
Another fan pointed out that the last time the Celtics won a title in 2008, they opened their playoff journey by facing the Hawks.
As a buddy pointed out, the Celtics opened with the Hawks the last time they won a championship.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 12, 2023
The Hawks withstood a 33-point performance from Kyle Lowry off the bench with a solid team effort which saw 7 players score double-digit points, led by Trae Young scoring 25. This game reinforced the flaws the Heat have offensively, as they need to now wait to face either the Chicago Bulls or the Toronto Raptors in the final play-in game for the 8th seed.
Can The Hawks Shock The Celtics?
The 2022-23 Atlanta Hawks have been far from perfect. Though Trae Young is still a great scorer and playmaker, the Hawks don’t look as competitive as the top of the East despite their moves to acquire Saddiq Bey and Dejounte Murray. The team is finding its identity under Quin Snyder and they can’t rush the process of familiarity enough to get past the title-favorite Celtics.
The Celtics match up really well with the Hawks. Outside of not having the size to neutralize Clint Capela, the Celtics have elite wing defenders in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown that would make the game hard for the off-ball players waiting for Young to create. Even Trae will face pressure from a host of talented guard defenders like Marcus Smart and Derrick White.
Ultimately, it seems the Celtics will have the advantage and will look to seal the series win to advance. The Hawks may need another season to build the right team, even if it means getting rid of Trae Young to get better assets.
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