NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview

LeBron James loses the ball to Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the first half at Philips Arena in the last regular season meeting between Cleveland and Atlanta March 6th. Atlanta won 106-97. In all, Atlanta won 3 out of 4 in the regular season. Atlanta on December 17th 127-98 and Decmeber 12th 109-101 with Cleveland winning the the first meeting of the year 127-94 on November 15th. (photo USA TODAY Sports / Dale Zanine)

Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

            It’s a battle of Me vs Team.  The King and his royal subject’s vs the peasants.  Two contrasting styles will converge on one court to determine who moves on to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.

The Hawks have a couple of factors working in their favor, the first of which is stability.  The same starting five that will take the court vs the Cavaliers in game 1 will be the same starting 5 that started game 1 of the NBA regular season.  The Hawks preach how to be unselfish and this can be seen in the fact that all 5 starters averaged over 10 points per game.  The Cavaliers don’t have to worry about one player on the hawks making a difference.  They have to worry about all five players, as all five players are comfortable taking the final shot of the game.  Another factor that favors the Hawks, Injuries.  The Hawks have none of their starters injured were as the Cavaliers have 2 major stars injured with one out the entire playoffs.

The Cavaliers have LeBron.  They also have Kyrie Irving.  That is really all the Cavaliers need as the duo of Irving and James are scoring a combined 46.3 of the Cavaliers 99.6 points per game.  That means roughly 45% of the teams points come from 2 players.  Cleveland will be without the services of Kevin Love, who is out for 5 months to due to shoulder surgery and Anderson Varajeo.  Cleveland also has to be concerned about Kyrie Irving who is dealing with knee and tendinitis issues.

The Hawks are looking to win their first NBA title since they relocated from Saint Louis.  The Cavaliers are looking to give the city of Cleveland its first major sports championship since the Cleveland Browns in 1964.

Atlanta will be the best team that LeBron has faced in a conference final in a while.  Atlanta took 3 out of 4 from the Cavaliers in the regular season.  But make no mistake, LeBron is bringing his “A” game.  LeBron’s legacy is on the line and he is looking to make amends from 2007 when the Cavs were swept in the NBA finals by the San Antonio Spurs.  Unfortunately for the Hawks, talent trumps teamwork and the Cavaliers win in 7 games.