Atlanta Hawks: 3 Takeaways from 136-114 Cleveland Cavaliers Loss
Rodney Hood Torches Backcourt
Throughout the course of the season, the Hawks have struggled to guard athletic guards. Sure, nobody plays defense until the playoffs. But Rodney Hood, who wasn’t a focal point in the Cavaliers offense last year at all, dropped an efficient 26 points tonight.
Hood led the way for the Cavs with 26 points, 3 assists and 3 steals while shooting 69.2 percent from the field. He also shot 100 percent from downtown, which is depressing considering the fact that LeBron James is no longer in Cleveland.
Bazemore, who is a solid defender, struggled to stay in front of the Duke product. Hood, who is 6-foot-8, was able to drive around Bazemore and use his height to shoot over the Atlanta Hawks guard. With James in Los Angeles and Love out due to injury, Hood was the next man up. Needless to say, the Atlanta Hawks defense needs to tighten up.
Again, Atlanta is in the second year of their rebuild and it’s not the time to panic but there is no reason why this game shouldn’t have been closer. Hopefully, Collins is inching closer to a comeback but until then the Hawks have to stick together and take care of the ball.
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The Atlanta Hawks will host the Sacramento Kings Thursday night at 7:30 PM EST.