Cleveland has huge advantage over Atlanta
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* Season series: Cleveland, 3-1.
*Buzz: This is the Hawks’ first trip to the second round since 1999, so they had better take pictures fast because they won’t be in it long. Here’s what winning the East means to the Cavaliers: They may not make the conference finals without raising a sweat, but they won’t lose any sleep over it while the Magic and Celtics beat each other to a pulp. Aside from LeBron James, the Hawks are more talented and more athletic, but that’s some exception. ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy once said he will take the best player and let the other team have the next five. Worse for the Hawks, they are also more clueless than the relentless, defense-oriented Cavaliers. With nine days off, the Cavaliers may be vulnerable in Game 1. However, in rhythm or not, the Hawks are vulnerable every game.
* Prediction: The Hawks are not chumps the Cavaliers can just brush aside, as they did with the Pistons in a sweep. Cleveland 4, Atlanta 1.
-- Mark Heisler
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