Atlanta Hawks Lose to Cavs: Rapid Reactions

Recapping and sharing notes on the Atlanta Hawks’ Wednesday loss to the Cavs.

The Atlanta Hawks faced off with the one Eastern Conference team with a worse record on Wednesday, playing the Cavs in Cleveland.

Cleveland went on two separate 9-0 runs after the Hawks took an early 27-5 run to take a 17-point 1st quarter lead. It certainly did not help that the Hawks got in foul trouble early. Dewayne Dedmon recorded his first start for Atlanta since March of 2019, recording two fouls that forced him to the bench before his night really got started.

Tristan Thompson had it rolling in the first half for Cleveland, hitting his fifth and sixth threes of his career in rapid succession at one point. His teammate Andre Drummond, who always had the Hawks’ number in Detroit, also had a great half. They combined for 27 points and 19 boards in the first two halves.

Their lead grew to 20 in the period and the Cavs went into the locker room with a 65-48 lead after Trae Young hit a finger roll at the buzzer. John Collins was a highlight in t he first 24 minutes, living above the rim and throwing down some lobs.

The Hawks were good offensively in the third period, but could not get a stop under any

More from Soaring Down South

• Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
• Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
• When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
• Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
• Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal

circumstances. They shot 52% from the field and scored 32 in the period but were still out-scored by the Cavs who average the 4th fewest points per game in the league.

They were able to make it a 14 point point game with 9:00 to go, bringing it under double-digits with just under six to go.

They were unable to get is lower than that however, and the Cavs were able to pull away and win by the final of 127-105.

Box Score Notes:

• After landing awkwardly on a dunk attempt in the third quarter, Cam Reddish was able to return to the game after some medical attention. He finished with 16 points on 11 shots.
• Despite being active and available, DeAndre’ Bembry not not return from the injury that’s held him out since January 20th.
• The Cavs scored 64 points in the paint.
• Atlanta did not score in the final 3:21, moving the deficit from nine to 22.
• John Collins went 9 of 12 from the field to finish 23 points but finished with just 4 boards.

The Hawks now go into the All-Star break with a 15-41 record. They’ll play next on February 20th back home against the Heat.