| Previewing The 'Other' Game Seven Authored by Brian Reynolds - May 2, 2009 - 7:44 pm
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Miami dominated Game 6 from start to finish on Friday night, and now the teams head back to Atlanta to fight for the right to face LeBron and the Cavs in the second round.
"It's going to be hectic," Heat forward Michael Beasley said about Game 7. "It's going to be crazy."
The teams have exchanged knockout punches through the first six games, but both teams keep getting up. The average margin of victory in the series tops 20 points. The games have been lopsided, yet the series could not be closer.
Now, one game will decide it all.
Despite losing by 26 on Friday night, the Hawks should be the favorite in Game 7. They played hard all year for home-court advantage in this type of game, and now it has arrived. With that said, they have to be a little concerned with their effort (or lack thereof) in Game 6 and superstar Dwyane Wade's performance.
Wade put Miami on his back and delivered 41 points on only 23 shots Friday. The amazing statistic, however, was that he did not turn the ball over once. He went 16-17 from the charity stripe and added five rebounds. He came out on a mission and he didn't disappoint. Now, Mike Woodson and his coaching staff have to find a way to slow down one of the game's best players on the game's biggest stage. Wade said it himself; the pressure is all on Atlanta.
"No pressure on us," Wade said. "We're the underdogs in this series."
A big key for each team in Game 7 rests on the health of their big men. Both Al Horford (sprained ankle) and Jermaine O'Neal (concussion) missed Friday night's tilt. Their status for Sunday is still up in the air, but I find it hard to believe that they won't suit up.
Horford has averaged nine points and seven rebounds in the series, while O'Neal is averaging 16 points and 5.4 rebounds.
If Horford isn't effective, it will lay a lot of pressure on Zaza Pachulia and Solomon Jones. His active hands and defensive presence is something the Hawks desperately need. Miami's Joel Anthony stepped up nicely in Game 6 for O'Neal, but the Heat would greatly benefit from having the savvy vet back in the lineup.
Atlanta has also been without small forward Marvin Williams for the majority of the series. He saw limited action in Game 6, but could provide a nice boost for the team if he can find a way to deal with his ailing wrist. Miami's Jamario Moon has been ruled out for the rest of the playoffs with a sports hernia.
Besides injury concerns, the Hawks will have to fight history as well. They are 2-7 all-time in Game 7s, including a 34-point loss last year to the Boston Celtics. Miami is 2-2.
There is no telling what's going to happen on Sunday. You have a top-three MVP candidate going up against a hungry and athletic Atlanta team that has played well all season long on their home floor. Games 1 though 6 may not have been the most nail biting of contests, but this one has classic written all over it.
So, get your errands done early this weekend and treat yourself on Sunday afternoon. Boston and Chicago have played a remarkable series, but Sunday's Game 7 shouldn't be overlooked.
-Brian Reynolds is a contributing writer from Emory University and can be reached at Brian.Matthew.Reynolds@gmail.com. |
