The Atlanta Hawks return to State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, tied 1-1 after a 107-106 Game 2 win at Madison Square Garden.
Grant Afseth and TJ French break down the Game 2 comeback and preview the next two games in Atlanta on the latest episode of the Hawks Roundtable podcast.
"It's a great position to be in for the Hawks, just being able to steal one in Madison Square Garden in that environment," French said. "They looked down and out in Game 2."
CJ McCollum set the tone for the Hawks with 32 points and six assists. He made several tough shots in clutch time while the Knicks focused their defense on containing Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The hosts break down how New York could adjust in Game 3 by sending help and forcing the ball out of McCollum's hands.
"He just continues to score the basketball at a high clip," French said of McCollum. "Especially the first two games, he completely took over MSG."
Jalen Brunson finished with 29 points on 10-of-26 shooting after a hot start in Game 1. Afseth and French cover the defensive plan that held the Knicks to 15 points in the fourth quarter, the bigger closing lineup that limited Brunson's paint touches, and why Dyson Daniels' minutes dropped late.
Mitchell Robinson went 6-of-6 from the field for 13 points and seven rebounds. The hosts address how Atlanta plans to slow the Knicks' interior attack and why Jalen Johnson needs to play more aggressively against primary defender Josh Hart.
"The one thing I'll say for Jalen Johnson is I would like him to be a little more aggressive," French said. "Hart's been guarding him for the most part in the first few games of this series, and he just looks very timid as the Hawks cross into the half court when Hart's on him near the arc."
Both hosts expect a physical, extended series with the possibility of a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.
"My inclination is it'll split 1-1, and then it'll just be best of three again after the next two," French said.
Afseth leans toward Atlanta closing out the series.
"My current read is I'm probably leaning towards the Hawks pulling this one out," Afseth said.
The full episode is available now. Hawks Roundtable will continue to cover the series with recaps, player and coach reactions, and analysis.
How confident are you in the Atlanta Hawks winning this series against the New York Knicks?