If San Antonio Spurs-Los Angeles Clippers playoff series has been the highlight in the Western conference, it is Atlanta Hawks-Brooklyn Nets clash, which has grabbed attention in the Eastern conference.
The Nets-Hawks first-round match has been very exciting, with the series currently being led by Hawks 3-2. Hence, game 6 at Barclays Center is of utmost importance for both the teams. A victory for the Hawks will throw Nets out of the Playoffs, while a win for Nets will take the series to the decider.
Deron Williams, Nets' player, feels that they need to play better in Game 6.
''We've just got to come out and play better,'' AP quoted Williams as saying.
''We've got to get back to playing our basketball, moving the ball, sharing the ball, making extra passes, playing for each other.''
The series has really been fought closely and either team can progress to the semi-finals. The Nets could even win two games back-to-back to clinch the series, but it will be a huge disappointment for the Hawks, who were the best team in the East, with 60 wins from 82 matches during the regular season.
Nets coach Lionel Hollins also feels the series has been thrilling so far.
''I think that this has been a thrilling series, and we hold serve at home and extend it to a seventh game and anything can happen,'' he said.
The Hawks had taken a comfortable 2-0 lead in the series, but Nets crawled back, winning the next two games. The Nets, who lost game 5, 97-107, are playing splendidly to trouble the Hawks; even Hawks star Al Horford is aware of it.
''You never underestimate any team,'' Hawks center Al Horford said.
''There's some adversity we're facing, and they're playing really good basketball. They're very confident. We just have to be able to handle that and come out and play better. They're pushing us, we're pushing them, and I feel like it's going to make us better in the end.''
If the Hawks do not want to put themselves under more pressure, they have to win game 6. For this to happen, they have to depend on the services of key players such as Horford, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, DeMarre Carroll and Jeff Teague.
Carroll and Teague have been the best players for the Hawks in the series, averaging 17 points so far in the series.
Where to Watch Live
The NBA Playoffs Round 1 game 6 between Hawks and Nets is scheduled for 8pm ET (5:30am IST, 1am BST) start.
Viewers in the US can watch the game live on ESPN.
Indian viewers can watch it live on Sony Six.
NBA fans can also watch the Playoffs live on NBA.com
