If you've listened to any of my Playoff Podcasts with Bob Rathbun, you've probably heard us say several times that during the playoffs, every win and loss can have a huge impact on your confidence level. After the Hawks win in Game 1, it felt like the Hawks couldn't be beat. Now after two straight losses, it feels like the team's 47-win regular season was a mirage and the Heat might be legitimate competitors for the NBA title. It's hard to keep perspective.

Yet the fact remains, if the Hawks win tonight, this series is back to even, and Atlanta will hold homecourt advantage in basically a best 2-of-3 series with 2 potential games at Philips Arena.

What will it take to get that seemingly elusive win? To hear the players tell it, it's more about offense than defense, specifically at the beginning of the game, where Miami has done particular damage the past two outings. A look at the first quarter scoreboard tells the story: the Hawks scored 18 points in the first 12 minutes of Game 2 and a paltry 12 in Game 3. Those early holes are causing the team to press, and at the same time giving Miami's regulars the confidence that no doubt fueling their incredible 3-point shooting.

Speaking of which, Miami has taken a 2-1 lead in this series due to some factors that weren't really at play during the regular season - specifically, reliable scoring inside by Jermaine O'Neal and the aforementioned 3-pointers. It will be interesting to see tonight if the Hawks make moves to counteract those two things that have so influenced this series so far - after all, two games shouldn't negate the 82 that came before them.

No doubt about it, tonight is about adjustments, and it is also gut check. Hawks assistant coach Larry Drew said it best this morning at shootaround: "You have to look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are giving it all you've got."

The Hawks have responded well to desperation this season, and for that reason I have confidence heading into Game 4 - that and a continued refusal to believe Miami can keep this up.

We'll find out at 8:00 ET on FS South (HD!) and TNT. And please - don't watch this one alone. Come out to one of the Hawks viewing parties to take in the action with your fellow fans. Here are the locations:

T-Mobile Viewing Party at The World of Coca-Cola
Cheyenne Grill in Buckhead
Jay's Place in Stone Mountain
Ultimate Bar and Grill on Camp Creek Parkway

Let's Go Hawks!