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Brooklyn displayed quality in the last game

The Nets are bursting with confidence after recording their first win in this series. The Hawks, on the other hand, are in search for form from regular season. Their biggest problem is the offensive end game

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Even though the Nets should have secured a spot in the playoffs a long time ago, given the players they have on the roster, they managed to get in in the very final moment, with the help of Memphis, who beat Indiana in the very final regular season round. That saw coach Hollins' team take on Atlanta in playoff first round. This opponent beat them in all 4 regular season games by an average of 17 points. It was therefore clear that the Nets were the underdog in this series. Regardless of the Game 1 and Game 2 defeats, the Nets realized they can stand up to the Hawks to finally beat them this season in the 7th attempt. 

- We knew they would make changes compared to the first two games but we felt that we can stand up to them regardless. We now really feel confident - Lopez said.

The Nets opened the game brilliantly lead by Bogdanovic to take a 14-3 lead. They managed to increase the lead to 15 points by the end of the first quarter (31-16). The Nets let go a bit in the second period, which Atlanta took advantage of to get only 7 points behind. Atlanta opened the second half better and then took the 62-52 through an 11-0 run. But, the Nets went on on their own run (18-0) to decide the match.

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- We missed so many shots in Atlanta, while managing to opened this one with a few three pointers and free points. We also played good defense, especially in the first half and the third quarter when we went on the 18-0 run - Bogdanovic said.

Even though they were better on the offensive end than in Atlanta, the Nets finished with less than brilliant 38.6% shooting. But they made up for it through excellent defense that limited the Hawks to 35.6% shooting.

Even before the start of this series, Lopez was deemed the one player at the Nets who is capable of leading his team into a win over Atlanta. The last game proved those who thought that were right. Brook was like a mystery for the Hawks, having scored 22 points (7-for-18) and 13 rebounds, while Bogdanovic added 19 (7-for-13) and Young 18 point and 11 rebounds. 

- Bogey took some big shots in the beginning, got us going and then hit some more in the second half. He's been doing well for a long time now - coach Hollins said about Bogdanovic.

On top of playing good on the offensive end, Bodganovic did a great job defending Korver to limit him to only 2 points. But, Korver was not the only inefficient player at Atalnta that day. The Hawks simply couldn't find rhythm.

- I just didn't get into good situations early on and then started to push it a bit later on. I need to do better Monday - Korver said.

Coach Budenholzer's men had massive problems against the aggressive Brooklyn's defensive end that tried to get as many players in the key as possible when Teague and others got in. Caroll (22 points, 9-for-12) and Millisap (18 points, 7-for 18 points and staggering 17 rebounds) were the only productive players at Atlanta. 

- They wanted this win more than us from the very start. This was a very important game for them and their approach proved it - Horford said. He fell short of expectations to finish with only 7 (3-for-12) points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Even though defense often pulled them out of tricky situations this season, the Hawks will definitely need better offensive end in order to finish tonight's game more successfully than the last one. The Nets displayed qualityin the first two games and only confirmed it with a win which set off alarms at Atlanta. 

- We are in for a battle now - coach Budenholzer said. His team needs a lot better three point efficiency than in the last match in order to finish this game with a better outcome. They scored only 6 three pointers in 30 attempts (20%) in the last game. 

The fact Atlanta's average of 102.5 points in regular season dropped 10 points (92.7) in playoffs only goes to prove they are now very far from regular season performances. 

- We didn't have good shooting even in the first two wins. We need to find out offense game - Horford said while Millsap added:

- We were very slow in the last match. That is not our game. We let them drag us into the pace that suits them.

As for the Nets, they have clearly found a way of beating the Hawks, but we need to wait and see whether they can use it twice in a row. They can be worried only about Williams, who is in a bit of a shooting crisis after a dealing with some minor injuries. He finished the last match with only 3 points (1-for-8) after being sidelined the entire first quarter. Luckily for Hollins, Jack once again proved to be the substitute they can count on.