Miami’s locked-in defense is key to a 3-1 series lead against the Hawks.
The Hawks have yet to see star Trae Young ignite their furious offense. The reason is that Young’s stats have dipped in their first-round series against the Miami Heat.
He went from averaging 28.4 pts, 9.7 asts, and 46.0 FG% to 16.5 pts, 6.0 asts, and 35.1 FG%–an underwhelming performance for the two-time NBA All-Star. This is not the first time Young has experienced this hard-nosed defense, but without his offense, the Hawks are unlikely to advance.
To compound matters. Atlanta is missing their starting center Clint Capela, and John Collins is struggling to find his groove after coming back from injury.
Even though the Hawks are playing short-handedly, give credit where it is due–Miami’s defense. The evidence is Young’s turnovers, 24 so far in the series.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Miami, and with the way the Heat is playing right now, the odds are that there may not be a game 6.
