I don't see the Hawks getting into a hole right away by losing this Game 1 at home. Both teams have had ample time to prepare, but Kyrie Irving is hobbled.




The Cavaliers already are without Kevin Love. LeBron James doesn't have a strong history in Game 1 of past series - 1-3 ATS during his last four playoff series - and Cleveland lost the past three times facing the Hawks during the regular season. The past two games were in Atlanta and the Hawks won those contests by nine and eight points, respectively.




The Hawks have a good defensive stopper, DeMarre Carroll. James scored 18 points and turned the ball over nine times the last time he faced Atlanta. James has to do way too much if Irving is too limited by the tendinitis in his left knee. Irving isn't the only Cleveland player hurting. Iman Shumpert (groin) and Tristan Thompson (shoulder) are not 100 percent either. This could impact Cleveland's defense.




I trust Atlanta's Mike Budenholzer, the coach of the year, more than I do Cleveland coach David Blatt. The Cavaliers face a tougher adjustment going from the talent-lacking Celtics and cold-shooting Bulls to playing the Hawks, who had a tough series with the Wizards.




Al Horford may be the second-best player on the court depending on Irving's physical condition. He stepped up against the Wizards. I expect Kyle Korver, who was so outstanding during the regular season, to get over his uncharacteristic shooting woes. Korver was the best 3-point shooter in the NBA this season, but missed 11 of his last 12 shots from beyond the arc against the Wizards.