Who would be the best Play-In Tournament matchup for the Atlanta Hawks?

Things have not been so great for the Cleveland Cavaliers lately

The Cleveland Cavaliers got off to quite the start this season, ranking third in the Eastern Conference just days before a three-game skid took them into All-Star weekend. They have gone 6-10 since returning to action and have dealt with injuries to trade deadline acquisition Caris Levert as well as their All-Star big, Jarrett Allen.

Only one current playoff or Play-In team has had a worse record since coming back from the break and that is the Bulls.

They have lost three in a row and four of their last six outings.

Even when healthy, though, it has not helped them against the Hawks. After the Cavs won the first meeting back in October, the Hawks have won both subsequent meetings. Even more encouraging is that they were far from being at full strength in one of those wins.

Their next tilt is slated for Mar 31 and will be at State Farm Arena.

Cleveland is below .500 on the road at 18-19, but the real slide has only been in their last eight tries. They have just one win in that span. The Cavs also have the best chance of falling below the Hawks out of the teams we have already mentioned. This would work in the Hawks favor as they are 24-14 at home.

Young had 41 points and nine assists in the last meeting, but the Hawks also got a solid performance from Danilo Gallinari.

He scored 18 of his 25 points in the first half to stake the Hawks to a five-point lead. He’s been huge in the recent weeks with Collins sidelined and returned from a one-game absence to emphasize that point.

That was his only game against the Cavs.

Gallinari’s height with his shooting ability is what would make him so valuable against a Cavs lineup that can trot out three seven-footers.