The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Hawks. Atlanta ranks near the bottom of the league in third-quarter net rating. “You are doing something special if you are containing a team like that in the first quarter.”Ĭleveland extended a 14-point halftime lead by outscoring the Hawks 34-25 in the third quarter.

It is a complete buy-in to be elite defensively,” Bickerstaff said. “We have an intent and purpose to start basketball games. “In the NBA, runs happen, but you’d rather be playing from in front than trying to play back into the game.”Ĭleveland led 15-4 midway through the first quarter against the NBA's fourth-highest scoring team. “If you come out and set the tone defensively, and let them know it is not going to be easy, you can put yourself in position where they are chasing you all night,” said Cavs coach J.B. The Cavs scored the first 10 points of the game and never trailed in holding the Hawks to a season-low in points and beating Atlanta for the third time in three games this season. Dean Wade scored 17 and Georges Niang had 14. Sam Merrill had 18 points with five 3-pointers. Jarrett Allen had 14 points and 11 rebounds, while seven Cavaliers scored in double figures. Cavs extend NBA's longest win streak to seven with balanced 116-95 win over HawksĪTLANTA - Donovan Mitchell had 18 points and eight assists to lead a balanced attack as the Cleveland Cavaliers extended the NBA's longest current win streak to seven games with a 116-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.

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