CAVS @ HAWKS Dec 13th Game 22

[HoopsGuru25]

LOL-The Hawks made it more exciting than it needed to be. Can someone explain to me why teams dont foul when up 3 when the other team has the ball? You can't question the Hawks heart but the Hawks didn't play a smart game.

Joe was money in the clutch and Josh made the huge block right when we needed it. Al also with the big tap when we were only up 2. Great win but the coaching staff has to remind the players that we have a game before the national TV game vs Boston.

[lunarblues]

hawks win

[PrizeFighteR]

Josh Smith to Delonte West:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUoPWnlnvLQ

[parson]

We played about as well as we can, especially earlier.

Our problem, I think, is that we have no post up game. Plus, when we go to JJ late, we never get the and-one's. We just can't finish games very well. For us, it's either hit the clutch 3s or lose.

The Cavs REALLY outplayed us defensively from the middle of the 3rd on. If we could play with their defensive intensity, we'd run teams off the court.

[prekazi]

congrats guys, that was a hell of a game.

[tontoz]

Nice win but the Hawks show yet again they aren't a smart team. Dumb turnovers over and over in the 3rd, poor ball movement, no boxing out. The Cavs were playing their 4th in 5 nights also and were without BigZ and Gibson. They were ripe to be had and if the Hawks had played smart this would have been a routine double digit win.

Nice to see Marvin make an appearance finally.

We only shot 6-21 from 3 but still won. Defense, getting to the line and shooting 79% won the game. Some nice clutch shots by JJ and bibby.

[JoshB914]

Very impressed with both teams tonight. Cleveland really showed what they were all about from the middle of the third until the middle of the fourth quarter. They play great team defense and Mo Williams has given them a completely new dimension on the offensive end. I think they have a legit shot to win the east.

I would like to see Bibby's clutch stats this season. He's been making the vast majority of his shot in the final two or three minutes of games.

[HMFFL]

Joe never puts up good numbers against Cleveland.

Glad to see Al Horford at the line because it's the only way he seems to get points at times.

I'm always hard on Lebron about his free throws but he hit 11 of 12 tonight.

[raleigh]

Team defense and clutch shooting wins games.

[JoshB914]

Josh has been much more efficient offensively the past couple of games, and it has made a big difference. The Cavs made their run in the third after he came out of the game.

Interestingly, it's deense where he looks a step slow. But I think we all know that will come back soon.

[tontoz]

Josh has been much more efficient offensively the past couple of games, and it has made a big difference. The Cavs made their run in the third after he came out of the game.

Interestingly, it's deense where he looks a step slow. But I think we all know that will come back soon.

I think Smith is still worried about his ankle. I have noticed that he isn't going for blocks as often.

4 turnovers tonight, two on the fast break when he didn't give it up quickly enough and then two in the half court when he went behind his back. Sigh. At least he didn't shoot any 3s.

[prekazi]

Joe never puts up good numbers against Cleveland.

Glad to see Al Horford at the line because it's the only way he seems to get points at times.

I'm always hard on Lebron about his free throws but he hit 11 of 12 tonight.

He's shooting %80 this season.

[Hawks]

A good win at home for the Hawks after a tough road trip.

[cavsfan_osiris]

I'm still a little salt, but good game guys. I figured this would be a tough one for the Cavs. They were missing a couple guys, 4th game in 5 days, Atlanta's athleticism, Atlanta playing well at home and Atlanta wanting to make a statement.

I've been hard on Marv in the past, but much respect to him for working hard at his craft. I have never liked his game, but he's playing really smart ball right now. He's the reason the Hawks don't miss Chillz at all. He was the reason the Hawks won tonight. I'm beginning to like his game.

I'm glad to see the Hawks carried over the momentum from that amazing playoff series against the Celts last year. If someone had told me a year ago that Mo Cheeks and Eddie Jordan would be canned before Wood I would have doubted that so props to Mike Woodson also. He's gotten a fairly young group to respect the art of team defense. Not many NBA coaches can do that and many times it's the difference between success and failure.

I would love to face the Hawks in the post-season. Not because I think the Cavs would win easily, but because I think it would be a great series with both home crowds getting into it, great play from stars like LBJ and JJ and there are some great matchups with the role players.

[tontoz]

I'm still a little salt, but good game guys. I figured this would be a tough one for the Cavs. They were missing a couple guys, 4th game in 5 days, Atlanta's athleticism, Atlanta playing well at home and Atlanta wanting to make a statement.

Thanks. The Hawks were playing their 4th in 5 nights also after a tough road trip, but were healty. Big Z has been a Big Problem for us in the past. With him and Gibson out i figured the Hawks had a good chance.

Mo sure was a great pickup for you guys. Detroit is toast now so it is basically between the Cavs and Boston as to who will come out of the East. I don't put Orlando in that class. Since Boston lost Posey i think the Cavs would have a good chance in a 7 game series, assuming good health.

[tontoz]

Nice quote from JJ after the Miami game,

“We got a few breaks and got out and started running, got a few 3-pointers and dunks and things opened up for us,” Johnson said after finishing with a game-high tying 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. “And Josh was big. We’ve got to keep him high energy, flying around out there on defense and offense, and keep him away from shooting all those long balls.”

Hopefully Smith takes that to heart.

[High 5]

I didn't mind Josh shooting those two wide open shots from 16 feet or so. If those were the only jump shots he took we'd be alright. And if he stopped trying to get fancy with the dribble.

[LL Cool Scott]

Had great seats for the game last night. The crowd was amazing, it was like a playoff atmosphere. And I really think Marvin Williams and Bibby were the two main reasons we won. Despite Lebron's numbers, Marvin played some pretty tough D on him and he was great on offense - hitting the open jumpers and taking the ball hard to the rim. That was the Marvin Williams everyone was expecting when we drafted him. And Mike Bibby, man. Wow. He's just so damn clutch. He's fearless. His shooting and the way he runs our offense definitely make up for his defensive shortcomings. Awesome win. I can't wait for the C's on wednesday!

[tontoz]

I didn't mind Josh shooting those two wide open shots from 16 feet or so. If those were the only jump shots he took we'd be alright. And if he stopped trying to get fancy with the dribble.

Yeah i dont have a problem with him taking a few midrange jumpers. If he catches it 16 feet away he can get to the basket much quicker. Plus spotting up in that range forces the D to guard him and gives him a chance to get offensive rebounds. If he could become just an average midrange shooter it would make a huge difference in his game.

I was cussing when he took that late 3. He is shooting 23% from 3 on the season.

I just noticed that Bibby's PER is 6th among pgs. He was off the 1st three games this year but since then his shot has been money pretty consistently.