Bench play
The biggest X-Factor in this series between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks will be the play of the benches. Both teams have excellent second units that helped get them to where they are in the postseason.
READ MORE: NBA Playoffs: 4 bold predictions for #5 Hawks vs. #4 Knicks first-round series
New York’s second unit is explosive offensively, led by veterans Derrick Rose and Alec Burks. Rookie Immanuel Quickley can fill it up as well. Veteran big man Taj Gibson locks down the paint along with rookie Obi Toppin, who gained confidence with each game.
Atlanta has veterans Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari that can fill it up on their second unit. Tony Snell and Solomon Hill bring more veteran experience on the wings as well, with rookie Onyeka Okongwu giving minutes in the frontcourt.
While the starters will assuredly play big minutes in the postseason, it will be the second unit that can swing the tide of a game when they enter. Both teams have benches with vast experience, so it will be a fun chess match between Thibodeau and Nate McMillian mixing and matching their lineups against each other.
