Cavaliers at Hawks
THE STORY: The Hawks have already blasted the Cavaliers twice this season, the second win coming just three days ago in Cleveland. Now they meet again at Philips Arena on Wednesday. The Hawks have won two of three, including their 16-point triumph Sunday at Cleveland, while the Cavaliers ended a three-game skid with Monday’s win at New Jersey. The Hawks have dominated the series recently, winning the last six meetings.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio, Sport South
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (17-26): In his second start at center, Tristan Thompson had a career-high 27 points and added 12 rebounds. As a result, the Cavaliers came to terms on a buyout with backup center Ryan Hollins and released him Tuesday despite Hollins serving as the starting center just last week. Thompson gets another crack at Zaza Pachulia, who pushed him around quite a bit inside in Sunday’s meeting.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (26-20): The wounded Hawks keep adding names to the injury report, yet are still finding ways to stay competitive in the East. The Hawks sit sixth in the playoff standings but are tied with the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the third spot. Atlanta is without five players - the latest being reserve point guard Jannero Pargo, who is out following appendectomy surgery. Yet they’ve still managed to beat the Cavaliers twice this season by an average of 21.5 points per game.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Pachulia has reached double figures in rebounds in six consecutive games and nine of his last 10.
2. The Cavaliers haven’t beaten the Hawks since LeBron James left as a free agent.
3. Hawks coach Larry Drew was an assistant on Cavaliers coach Byron Scott’s staff in New Jersey. The two were also teammates with the Lakers.