The Cavaliers, fresh off of a victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday, play host to the Atlanta Hawks this evening at 6:00 at the Q.
Atlanta has already clinched a playoff spot, but have only four wins in their last twelve games, and sit at 41-32 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. As things stand now, or as it is sometimes put, "if the season ended today", Atlanta would be playing Orlando in the first round, and with the Magic six games ahead of the Hawks, and with Atlanta three-and-a-half games up on Philadelphia, it is likely that that fifth spot will be the Hawks' home at season's end.
Cleveland is obviously not in contention for a playoff spot, at 14-57, but there is still a chance that the Cavs could catch either Washington or Minnesota, both with 17 wins, and avoid finishing with the worst record in the NBA, but the only way to do that would be to get on a little run somewhere, as time is running out.
Today would be a handy day to grab win number fifteen. Next up for Cleveland are the Miami Heat, and it would be a stretch to even hope for a win against the LeBrons.
Daniel Gibson and Baron Davis played the entire fourth quarter in the win over the Pistons, and achieved some notable chemistry -- it would be interesting to see that combo exploited at greater length this evening.
The Hawks will be without Joe Johnson, who suffered a sprain of his right thumb in Atlanta's victory over New Jersey last night.
Atlanta, with a win today, would sweep the season's series over the Cavaliers.