Cavaliers 84 - 98 Hawks
Final
  for this game

Cavs, Hawks clash in Dixie

Dec 22, 2010 - 4:13 PM (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks take aim at their eighth straight win at home when they entertain the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Philips Arena.

Atlanta has won its last seven bouts in Dixie and is 10-5 as the host this season. It is coming off Monday's 91-81 triumph at home versus the new-look Orlando Magic and got 24 points and 11 rebounds from Al Horford in that one.

"With the trade, (it's a whole different situation) but they're still the same kind of players that want to shoot the ball from the outside," Horford said of the Southeast Division-rival Magic. "It's just a different personnel, but I feel like it's a very similar team."

On Saturday, Orlando pulled off two deals that netted them Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark.

Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson added 17 points and is averaging 15.7 points over three games since an early return from right elbow surgery to remove loose cartilage. Mike Bibby had 15 points for the Hawks, who have won two of three games overall.

Atlanta reserve and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford missed his fourth straight game because of back issues and is questionable for tonight.

Cleveland looks to put the brakes on an 11-game road losing streak Wednesday and is 3-12 away from Quicken Loans Arena this season. It's last victory as the guest was a 93-91 triumph at New Jersey on Nov. 9.

The Cavaliers are coming off Monday's 101-90 loss versus the Utah Jazz from the Q and got a career-high 29 points from Daniel Gibson.

"I'm not real big on personal things. If it results in a win, I'm excited. But if we aren't winning, I need to figure out what to do to win the next game," Gibson said.

Mo Williams finished with 16 points and 10 assists, while Antawn Jamison provided 13 points and six rebounds for Cleveland, which ended a 10-game slide with Saturday's win versus New York and has now lost 11 of 12 games.

Atlanta topped the Cavs, 100-88, back on Nov. 2 this season, but Cleveland is 20-6 in the previous 26 matchups in the series thanks in large part to superstar LeBron James. These two clubs have split the past 18 encounters at Philips Arena.






Related News