What appeared to be an easy four-game sweep for the Atlanta Hawks has suddenly turned into the exact opposite after the Brooklyn Nets won both games at home and tied the series up 2-2. The Hawks have been in this position before except they were the underdogs pushing the No. 1 seed when they forced a Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers last year. There was a 22-game difference between Atlanta and Brooklyn entering the postseason, but now none of that matters as both teams prepare for a crucial Game 5.
The Hawks might have won all six meeting before Game 3 and 4 against the Nets, but they put together two bad performances to let Brooklyn back into postseason contention. Brook Lopez and Deron Williams have been the stars of the show in the last two games. The Hawks were leading for a majority of Game 4, but the veteran point guard notched 35 points while hitting seven 3-point shots to get the overtime win on Monday.
Williams has suddenly been playing like he is 25 all over again. The point guard has been putting together one of his worst seasons averaging just 13.0 points on 38.7 percent shooting, but that has all changed in the playoffs. The performance by Williams is not shocking to the Hawks. Center Al Horford told the media that the Nets have stars on their team and it was only a matter of time before the broke out.
Brooklyn has been extremely competitive this series despite just inching their way into the playoffs. While history is not in their favor, an eight seed has beaten a No. 1 seed five times in playoff history. Most recently was when the Philadelphia 76ers took down the Chicago Bulls in 2012. The Atlanta Hawks would like to avoid a similar fate, but they will need to play a much more improved game for that to happen.
The Hawks' offense might have peaked to early as suddenly fans are expecting Kyle Korver to miss 3-point shots as Horford struggles to guard Lopez in the paint. Lopez has three double-doubles in this playoff series. He put up 26 points and 10 rebounds on Monday. Jeff Teague and DeMarre Carroll bounced back for 20 points apiece while Paul Millsap added 16 points and 12 rebounds, but the lack of production from Korver and the reserves is holding Atlanta back.
