76ers vs Hawks Game 4 Preview and Prediction
After falling behind in game 1, the 76ers have bounced back and have won the last 2 games of the series. The Sixers, now in control of this series, need to keep the momentum up if they want to win this series.
76ers vs Hawks Game 4 predictions – let’s take a closer look!
76ers vs Hawks Game 4 Preview
Joel Embiid who has been playing with a knee injury has been dominating this series. He is listed as questionable for game 4 and the sharpshooter Danny Green is out with a calf injury. On the other side, the Virginia product De’Andre Hunter has been ruled out of the playoffs with a knee injury.
Embiid is the most important player if Philadelphia wants to win this series. When Embiid is on the court they outscore Atlanta by 19.4 points per 100 possessions. Embiid throughout the series is averaging 35 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. If Embiid plays this game the Sixers will and should be the favorites.
Defense
The importance of defense has been one of the biggest things to watch in this series so far. In game 1 the Sixers turned the ball over a lot and in the last two games, the Sixers have forced Atlanta to turn the ball over on 15% of their possessions.
With the Defensive Player of the Year finalist, Ben Simmons on the Sixers defending Trae Young, the Sixers have someone to stop the main pivot of the Hawks offense.
Clint Capella will be a very impactful player on the defensive side of the ball. He knows he has to stay out of foul trouble and guard the best player on the court Joel Embiid. With Embiid still not at one hundred percent, Capella has to lock him down.
Why the Hawks Should Win This Game
Before game 3 the Atlanta Hawks had a 13-game home winning streak. Trae Young did not look like his great playoff self in game 2 but in game 3 he shot 9 for 17. If he plays how he did in round 1 of the playoffs and in game 1 of this series the Hawks should win this game.
3 point success is going to be very vital for the Atlanta Hawks. Having players like Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter, and other capable shooters need to hit their shots as they did in game 1.
Clint Capella as stated earlier is the most important player. He needs to lock down on Embiid defensively and attack him offensively. In game 3 he struggled offensively but not on the glass, grabbing 16 rebounds.
Atlanta’s second unit has been outsourcing and proving to be the better second unit of the series so far.
Prediction
Obviously, the Sixers are the better team on paper but you can not overlook the Hawks success at home. Look for big games from Trae Young, Clint Capella and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
I like the Hawks straight up in this game.
- 76ers: 106
- Hawks: 113
