The Atlanta Hawks met the Cleveland Cavaliers in their second meeting of the season in Cleveland. The Hawks were blown out by the Cavs in the first matchup, 127-94, on November 15th. With a second half that was highlighted by a three-point splash by Atlanta, they blew out the Cavs this time on the road with a huge 127-98 win.
Both teams started slow in the first quarter. Atlanta started 0-for-3 from the field, and Cleveland was 0-for-4. The Hawks were down, 36-24, at the end of the first quarter but rallied for a 65-60 lead at halftime after being down, 50-38, at one point in the second quarter.
Guard Shelvin Mack came off the bench for Atlanta and went on a three-point tear. He had 17 points at the half and finished the game with a career-high 24 points. Mack was perfect from the three-point line on 6-of-6 shooting. Mike Scott also made great contributions off the bench, as he totaled 15 points on 71 percent shooting. Hawks' point guard Jeff Teague was inactive tonight, and point guard Dennis Schroder received the start. He posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists, as he shot 66 percent from the field.
Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving was shut down by the Hawks, as he only posted nine points. LeBron James had 21 points on 50 percent shooting. Dion Waiters had a good game coming off the bench with 21 points. Kevin Love posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Only three Cavaliers scored in double figures.
The Hawks and Cavaliers will meet again this month in Atlanta on December 30th. Atlanta's next game will be on the road in Houston against the Rockets on December 20th. The Cavs will face the Nets at home on December 19th. The Hawks stand at third in the East, and Cleveland is at fifth.