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Duke Blue Devils: NBA Playoffs Preview

By John Woodcock

Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives the ball against Boston Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives the ball against Boston Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Dunleavy (34) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Hawks won 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Dunleavy (34) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Hawks won 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Atlanta Hawks (Mike Dunleavy, Ryan Kelly) vs Washington Wizards

What does Dunleavy have in common with Irving? They were both teammates of LeBron James earlier this season. Dunleavy ended up in Atlanta so that the Cavs could acquire the superior shooter Kyle Korver. Sadly the statistics do bear this out, but Dunleavy still had a decent year coming off Atlanta’s bench. That didn’t stop Dunleavy from dropping twenty on the Cavs on April 7th. It could be interesting if the Hawks make the conference finals.

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What does Kelly have in common with Dunleavy? They both have reputations as shooters. You just see Kelly a lot less and he plays a different position. In theory Kelly is perfectly suited to play next to Dwight Howard in relief of Paul Millsap should the need ever arise. My guess is that it won’t.

  1. Milwaukee Bucks (Jabari Parker) vs Toronto Raptors

Parker has grown into a twenty points per game score in his second season in the pros. In other words, he’s right on the development schedule. And then his luck with injuries hits. Parker is currently out until next February with another knee injury so we won’t yet see what his playoff form looks like. More minutes for John Henson, I guess.

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