The Cleveland Cavaliers ended a mini-skid of three games on Monday in New Jersey, and they're facing another losing streak of sorts in Atlanta on Wednesday night against the Hawks, who they have not defeated in their last six tries. Despite trailing in double-digits for much of the first half, the Hawks mounted a furious rally to end the second quarter to take a one-point halftime lead, 54-53.
The Cavs started the game en fuego, hitting four of their first five shots to take a 10-point lead, 20-10. The Cavs built on that to take a 15-point lead, 36-21, into the second quarter and have led by as many as 16.
The Hawks found a rhythm near the end of the first half, though, going on a 19-4 run to take their first lead of the game with a minute left. Antawn Jamison and Jerry Stackhouse then traded threes and Kyrie Irving's buzzer try was off the mark to keep the lead in favor of the Hawks at the half.
Jamison led the Cavs with 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Irving has eight points and seven assists.
Stackhouse provided a spark for the Hawks off the bench, scoring eight. Josh Smith leads his team with 15 points and six rebounds.
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