In a clash of Eastern Conference powers, look for much of the action to take place in the paint, where All-Stars and workhorses collide.
This is where the Atlanta Hawks's All-Star frontcourt of Paul Millsap and Al Horford primarily operate. It's also home to the Cleveland Cavaliers' talented duo of Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. While most NBA teams deploy a traditional center-power forward tandem, these two squads are very different in their similarity.
"Against the Hawks, in terms of Millsap and Horford, we are kind of the same active bigs," Thompson said after Cleveland won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Atlanta, 104-93, on Monday.
Ever since the Cavs decided to bench center Timofey Mozgov midseason, both teams essentially use a pair of power forwards up front. It's been an effective strategy, but what happens when each gets a taste of the other's medicine?
What They Bring to the Table
For Atlanta, Millsap and Horford have similar skill sets. Both can put the ball on the floor, face up, hit jumpers, defend and pass ...
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Article written by Greg Swartz