Converting on open three-point shots
Obviously three-point shooting is an advantage for the Hawks in this series against Philadelphia, but they have really struggled shooting from deep after knocking down 20 threes in their Game 1 victory. Since Game 1, the Hawks have shot 17-53 (32%) from three-point range as a result of Philadelphia giving more focus to their perimeter defense. If the Hawks are to take back momentum in this series, they do not necessarily have to make 20 threes again, but they need to control the three-point line and three-point differential.
Atlanta has been outscored by 15 points the last two games from three-point shooting, which is a surprise given that Philadelphia is not that strong of a perimeter shooting team. The 76ers ranked 11th in the NBA during the regular season in three-point shooting percentage, but they only made about 11.3 threes per game, ranking them 23rd in the league.
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In this series against the Hawks, the 76ers are averaging about 10.7 made threes per game, which is right around their season average. The Hawks on the other hand are averaging 12.3 made threes per game in this series, but this is slightly below their 12.8 average from their first-round series against the Knicks.
It may not seem like a huge difference, but just a couple made threes for Atlanta could really change this series, which is why they need to control the three-point line moving forward. Not only does this mean they have to be better on offense or getting high-percentage looks, but they need to tighten things up defensively as well.
Furkan Korkmaz and Seth Curry are really the only shooting threats for the 76ers from deep, as Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid prefer to put the ball on the court and drive to the rim. As a result, Atlanta needs to turn their focus on defending the paint and letting the Sixers shoot jumpers because chances are that they will miss a lot of them.
Three-point shooting has been an advantage of the Hawks all season long and needs to continue to be a point of emphasis for them on the offensive-end of the court in this series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
