Atlanta Hawks: 3 secret x-factors to help fuel a huge playoff upset
Dejounte Murray
Ok ok, I know what I said about not including stars as x-factors, but I just think Murray is so important to this series for ATL (on both sides of the court). The Celtics will be ready to hound Trae Young with Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon (a candidate for the NBA 6th Man of the Year award). The Hawks are going to need Murray to step up on the offensive end as a secondary playmaker to help take some of the pressure off of Young.
On the season, Murray averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 46.4% shooting. However, it has been a bit of an up-and-down season for Murray on both ends of the floor. Murray still can be one of the best players in any series, however. He is still a 26-year-old former all-star with true two-way ability.
On defense, Atlanta needs Murray to recapture his San Antonio days level of defense. Murray was strong on the defensive end in the play-in game against the Heat but has been up and down in that category for much of this season. It will be interesting to see how Atlanta guards Boston in this series (with Atlanta’s best perimeter defenders playing the 2 and the 3, and Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum playing the 3 and 4 for Boston).
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta puts Murray on Jaylen Brown for big chunks of this series (with De’Andre Hunter on Tatum and then John Collins sliding down to guard White or Brogdon).
Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks: 3 bold predictions and a series pick. dark. Next
In two games this season against Boston, Murray averaged 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 16/35 shooting. While those aren’t poor numbers, the Hawks will need more than that from Murray to win this series. If he can be a legitimate No. 2 offensive option (and be a No. 1 here or there when needed), and play well defensively then the Hawks might be able to pull the upset.