Hawks Soar Over Cavs

One month ago it was the Cavaliers blowing the Hawks out on their home court, tonight the script was flipped as the Hawks returned the favor, giving Cleveland their largest loss of the season after a 127-98 beating in front of their home fans.

(AP Photo)

The Cavs seem to go as Lebron goes. In the first quarter Lebron came out aggressive, scoring 11 points and adding two assists. Those two assists in the first quarter however would end up being the only assists he had for the game, a bad stat for the primary ball handler of this team.

While Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love each finished the game with six assists a piece, unfortunately for the Cavs and their fans, they don't make the team go.

After the Cavaliers outscored the Hawks in the first quarter, the Hawks would then take control from the second quarter on, outscoring the Cavs 101-64.

Dion Waiters was a bright spot for the Cavaliers in the loss, as he had 21 points on 9-18 shooting off the bench.

Three Things

1. The Defense

It was bad, simple as that. Not going to win many games allowing the opponent to shoot 64.5 percent and allowing 16 three-pointers.

2. Love fading

Anytime the Cavaliers usually get off to a quick start, Kevin Love usually is a catalyst and tonight was no different. Love had nine points in the first quarter but would have only four for the rest of the game. This trend is all too common for Love as coming into the game, Love posted a 5.9 points per game average in the second and third quarters. This is something the Cavs must fix as they continue to build  and try to enter among the elite teams.

3. Atlanta Hawks Soaring

The Atlanta Hawks, the team that has always been good but not good enough have won 11 of 12. While most analysis have picked the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, and Toronto Raptors as the main contenders to the Cavs, don't overlook these Hawks. With much of the Cavs roster still unproven in the playoffs, the Hawks have a solid Big Three in all-stars Al Horford and Paul Milsap with an underrated point guard in Jeff Teague, who didn't even play in Wednesday's matchup.

Stateline of the night:

Shelvin Mack: 24 points, 6-6 from deep, 3 assists

It was a career night for Shelvin Mack. The former Butler guard who was averaging only 3.8 points per game heading into the contest exploded off the bench for a career high and with multiple all-stars on the floor, stole the show for a night.

Whats next:

Cavs vs. Nets at the Q, Friday Dec.19 at 7:30 p.m. EST.