Official Game Thread: Hawks - Cavaliers

[lethalweapon3]

^{Who will pick the Hawks' playoff hopes up off the ground?}

The Cleveland Cavaliers got the wake-up call for their postseason hopes back in December. Now, they’ll come into tonight’s game with the Atlanta Hawks (7:30 PM Eastern, SportSouth, FoxSports Ohio) carrying a wet blanket, hoping to return the favor.

They’re not necessarily done dreaming of a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to South Beach, either. At 31-45, the Cavs sit just two games behind the Hawks and Knicks in the race for the “What Are You Doing Here?” Invitational. They’re riding on a 6-1 surge thanks to the red-hot play of Dion Waiters.

Returned to Head Coach Mike Brown’s starting lineup for the first time since mid-November, after Kyrie Irving’s biceps injury and C.J. Miles’ ankle sprain a couple weeks ago, Waiters’ recent opponents were being served buckets (last 8 starts: 23.1 PPG, 52.7 2FG%). For the home stretch, Brown is going to try and greenlight Irving and Waiters as much as possible, hoping they’ll stay defensively focused and not ceding as many points to their opponents.

Irving poured 40 points in double-OT against the Hawks in Cleveland on December 26, but will vividly recall getting upstaged by Jeff Teague’s career-high 34 points, including the game-winning 20-foot buzzer-beater. Kyrie will be looking to avenge that loss tonight.

That was the first game where Cleveland figured out relying on Earl Clark to start at the 3-spot wasn’t going to cut it. Luol Deng’s final appearance in a Bulls jersey was against the Hawks (17 points and 11 rebounds) before getting swapped to his division rival in early January. The Man from Sudan has struggled to establish consistency (14.6 PPG and 42.3 FG% in Cleveland, down from 19.0 PPG and 49.0 FG% in Chicago; two double-doubles since the trade) with all the moving parts in Brown’s lineup. But the two-time All-Star does provide the defensive shutdown skills Brown desires at the wing. A strong performance down the stretch will help the 28-year-old boost his free agency value in this offseason.

Atlanta’s 127-125 win on December 26 was the game where it became clear that Cleveland’s gambit to acquire and nurture Andrew Bynum really wasn’t gonna work out. It was also the game where Atlanta’s contention hopes were crippled during the first OT period by Al Horford’s matching pec-tear at the claws of Anderson Varejao. Oft-injured himself, the Brazilian has been bothered by a shoulder sprain.

If Andy V's a last-minute scratch, that would leave the responsibilities in the middle to trade-deadline acquisition Spencer Hawes (4-for-7 on threes, 20 points in Wednesday’s win at Orlando) and short-leashed second-year pro Tyler Zeller. Cleveland’s ability to remain in contention for the final playoff spot will depend on Irving’s ability to master the pick-and-pop game with Hawes. The Hawks have to make it an imperative to keep Tristan Thompson (3.3 offensive RPG, 6th in NBA), Varejao, and Hawes boxed out. Cleveland's 12.1 offensive boards per game ranks 5th in the NBA.

Going down the home stretch, with the stakes of a postseason appearance on the line, the Cavs have Kyrie (7-for-8 FGs, 17 points and 8 assists at Orlando) back to make the big offensive plays needed to close out games. The Knicks, naturally, have Melo. Who is going to be That Guy for the Hawks at crunch time? Logic says it has to be All-Star Paul Millsap (25.0 PPG and 14.0 RPG, 53.1 FG% in past two games). But he’ll need Jeff Teague and the Hawks’ wings to spread the Cavs defense out, allowing him to go to town inside and draw trips to the free throw line against Hawes, Tristan Thompson and the Cavs’ bigs.

When Teague and the Hawks’ guards penetrate and the lane clogs (Cleveland: 23.9 opponent at-rim FGAs, fewest in NBA East), they’ll want to find Millsap (and Mike Scott) for quick finishes around the rim (62.9 opponent at-rim FG%, most in NBA East). These were the kinds of quick-finish plays in the paint tailor-made for Horford. But Elton Brand is not exactly quick, while Pero Antić (27.0 FG% last six games) has struggled to finish, so this might be the type of game to get rookie Mike Muscala going inside.

Based on SportVu stats, the Hawks score 10.7 PPG on Teague drives (6^th most in NBA). But he’ll need Shelvin Mack, Dennis Schröder, and Lou Williams to stick to the gameplan and collectively counter Irving (7.7 team PPG on drives), Waiters (7.2 team PPG on drives), and Jarrett Jack.

Go Hawks!

~lw3

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[MaceCase]

Let's get ready to crumblllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[ViperXX79]

Not looking good so far...

[lethalweapon3]

Looking good now!

~lw3

[Guest]

Great game thread...we r a dumb dumb naive ball club. Smh. Geez

[Jody23]

Not looking good so far...

The Knicks losing tonight was huge. Unfortunately, it seems the Hawks are going to stroll right to the eight seed. 15th pick here we come.

[ViperXX79]

The Knicks losing tonight was huge. Unfortunately, it seems the Hawks are going to stroll right to the eight seed. 15th pick here we come.

I hope everyone who wants us in that 8 seed really appreciates how embarrassing this is for the team but hey we're a playoff team right?. And we all know that's the key to big time talent coming here... Every time this franchise gives us a little hope of something fortunate happening they go and screw it up. Just a shame the Knicks lost.

[Jody23]

I hope everyone who wants us in that 8 seed really appreciates how embarrassing this is for the team but hey we're a playoff team right?. And we all know that's the key to big time talent coming here... Every time this franchise gives us a little hope of something fortunate happening they go and screw it up. Just a shame the Knicks lost.

But hey, we know the ASG is celebrating. Seriously, we were screwed when the decision was made to go on mission mediocrity to begin the season. But I tell ya what will be embarrassing...the Hawks placing their hopes on another James Harden situation and looking confused when it doesn't happen.

[GameTime]

If we are 8th I am rooting the Pacers to keep winning. We have absolutely no chance against the Miami Heat.

[anxietyreigns]

What's the difference really in being 8th or 9th seed in terms of draft pick?

Might as well make the playoffs if the best we will do is a doouble digit draft number.

[anxietyreigns]

And another thing: I have always felt that a taste of playoff experience can benefit an organization long term. You want your current players to keep playing and get better.

Now, if it were possible for us to get a top 5 pick than by all means lose the last few games. Not the case here.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

I hope everyone who wants us in that 8 seed really appreciates how embarrassing this is for the team but hey we're a playoff team right?. And we all know that's the key to big time talent coming here... Every time this franchise gives us a little hope of something fortunate happening they go and screw it up. Just a shame the Knicks lost.

How is making the playoffs embarrassing for this team?

Now is it in our best interest to make the playoffs? Probably not, from a draft pick standpoint. But I'm sure that our vets don't want to see this year as a waste, after being a playoff team from Day 1.

You guys are really cheering for your favorite team to lose . . . for what? To move up 4 slots in the lottery? To have like a 3% chance at a top 3 pick?

It's funny that all of you just expect the team to get rolled off the court when the playoffs come around. Sure, they won't win the series, but they may win a few games. Remember, the goal of the GM is to be "competitive".

Being "competitive" does not mean laying down and dying, and missing the playoffs.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

And another thing: I have always felt that a taste of playoff experience can benefit an organization long term. You want your current players to keep playing and get better.

Now, if it were possible for us to get a top 5 pick than by all means lose the last few games. Not the case here.

I think it's very important to the vets that they make the playoffs. Millsap has busted his azz all year. Korver has been solid. Teague has been up and down. DeMarre has been one of the surprises of the season. Brand is in the twilight of his career, but has played his role.

The other thing people need to keep in mind is that the GM may not do a drastic roster turnover next season.

"He likes these guys".

If not making the playoffs wasn't a priority this year, he shouldn't have assembled a team that COULD make the playoffs. Because when you assemble a team with Horford, Millsap, Teague, and Korver, they're going to be good enough to get in . . even if one of them goes down.

The GM tried to straddle the fence. When you do that, you're probably going to be mediocre.

But hey. At least we're "flexible".

[Jody23]

I think it's very important to the vets that they make the playoffs. Millsap has busted his azz all year. Korver has been solid. Teague has been up and down. DeMarre has been one of the surprises of the season. Brand is in the twilight of his career, but has played his role.

The other thing people need to keep in mind is that the GM may not do a drastic roster turnover next season.

"He likes these guys".

If not making the playoffs wasn't a priority this year, he shouldn't have assembled a team that COULD make the playoffs. Because when you assemble a team with Horford, Millsap, Teague, and Korver, they're going to be good enough to get in . . even if one of them goes down.

The GM tried to straddle the fence. When you do that, you're probably going to be mediocre.

But hey. At least we're "flexible".

That "flexibility" is going to start fading as it's going to cost to keep these guys together since he likes them so much.

[BrazilianHawk]

blah blah blah... Tankers are all sad because these guys (Millsap, Carroll and Teague) won't give up the 8th seed.

Just enjoy the ride, folks. If NY deserves the 8th seed, they will take it. If not, I'm going to enjoy my Hawks at the playofss.

GO HAWKS!

By the way... last 5 years

10th pick

2009 Brandon Jennings - meh

2010 Paul George - superstar

2011 Jimmer Freddette - meh

2012 Austin Rivers - meh

2013 CJ McCollum - haven't shown much until now

15th pick

2009 Austin Daye - meh meh

2010 Larry Sanders - good, but you know...

2011 Kawhi Leonard - I would love to have drafted him

2012 Mo Harkless - better thn Austin Rivers, for sure

2013 Giannis Antetokoumpo - I would love to have drafted him

With the obvious exception of Paul George, the 10th picks weren't far better than the 15th. One could argue the 15th picks were better overall. It's not easy to land a supertar picking 10th.

[MaceCase]

That "flexibility" is going to start fading as it's going to cost to keep these guys together since he likes them so much.

How quick we forget "we value Josh"......as he was being shopped through the deadline and was later let go in the summer.

People sure as hell like to buy into some quotes while declaring others as an insurance sales pitch.

[Guest]

blah blah blah... Tankers are all sad because these guys (Millsap, Carroll and Teague) won't give up the 8th seed.

Just enjoy the ride, folks. If NY deserves the 8th seed, they will take it. If not, I'm going to enjoy my Hawks at the playofss.

GO HAWKS!

By the way... last 5 years

10th pick

2009 Brandon Jennings - meh

2010 Paul George - superstar

2011 Jimmer Freddette - meh

2012 Austin Rivers - meh

2013 CJ McCollum - haven't shown much until now

15th pick

2009 Austin Daye - meh meh

2010 Larry Sanders - good, but you know...

2011 Kawhi Leonard - I would love to have drafted him

2012 Mo Harkless - better thn Austin Rivers, for sure

2013 Giannis Antetokoumpo - I would love to have drafted him

With the obvious exception of Paul George, the 10th picks weren't far better than the 15th. One could argue the 15th picks were better overall. It's not easy to land a supertar picking 10th.

Wouldn't even be the 10th pick. It would be the 12th pick. With Lawson of the Nuggets getting hurt and AD on the Pelicans hurt, I doubt they have a better record than either the Hawks or Knicks. So 12th pick vs. 15th pick.

I might just have to follow your advice and enjoy the ride. :-) GOOOOO HAWKSSSSS!!!!

[MrMeltdown]

If I can't get a top 5 pick I would rather be out of the lottery. Either way even if we get pick 15 we will be paying the player more next year than Dennis will be making next year. Going to be a costly and important pick rather 10 or 15.

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/rookie_scale

Edited April 5, 2014 by MrMeltdown

[BudBall]

If we do make the playoffs, I wish Horford would have been able to play. :(

[GrimeyKidd]

I love to see these hawks fight. We might as well cheer our hawks and hope nets lose early. Swap picks. I think ferry will look at european players but not overvalue them as he knows we can't afford to stash again. We can get a slashing sf and defensive sg. Plus bring bebe over, not pickup Antić contract.tresign brand as the vet leadership.

Ill have an.article up later predicting our offseason