Like last year, the Hawks challenge the Heat in the “postseason”, but this time it’s not in the playoffs but at the “play-in” stage. And we can’t say that it enchants them since it’s been two seasons since the teammates of Trae Young suffer against Miami.
Since October 2021, the regular season record has been six defeats in eight games, and in the playoffs, the Hawks lost 4-1. In 18 months, the record is therefore 10 wins for the Heat, and only 3 for the Hawks.
“They have an identity, that of the best defense in the NBA” believes Quin Snyder. “It’s been a lot of challenges for us, but I think everyone’s excited to be in the postseason. We know what type of game to expect, and it’s going to be complicated because you have to be ready to raise your level of play.
Trae Young in trouble
Quin Snyder was not there last season, but he knows that the Heat had stifled Trae Young, limited to 15.4 points on average in the playoff series, 32% shooting including 18% from afar, and the leader does not turn only 19.8 points this season against Miami. While he has just concluded the regular season with a double “double-double”, the 3rd best passer in the NBA is preparing to undergo treatment of choice from Jimmy Butler and his partners.
“I didn’t really play well against them” he acknowledges. “It’s crazy because I signed my career best game against them two years ago and since then I feel like it’s been falling and I haven’t been able to score and find rhythm. For me, it’s just about not looking back, but obviously taking a step back and figuring out how to get to the places on the pitch where I’m going to get my shots and also involve my teammates. »
For John Collins, we must be prepared for the anti-Young plan, and everyone must be ready to take advantage of the double-takes suffered by the playmaker to punish the Heat defense.
“Everyone must take responsibility, and be ready to show off when they take it on together. Being ready to take open shots when they help too much, to create. You have to be ready to create play because that’s what you can exploit from their defense. Let everyone be ready to raise their level of play, to earn their place, and to do their job to help the team win. I have the feeling that it is the most important because we know how to play basketball. »
In attack, as in defense, you have to be ready to respond to the physical challenge of Miami, and Trae Young warns that it is imperative to walk the talk. “It’s not just about saying that you have to play physical. You really have to be a physical team and do it” concludes the leader.
