Official Game Thread: Cavaliers at Hawks

[lethalweapon3]

“ATLANTA! This is NOT for you!”

 

I don’t have much ahead of today’s follow-through for our Atlanta Hawks, back home at State Farm Arena for a tilt with the Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 PM Eastern, Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, BS Ohio). Just repeating the gripe that a team playing the night before a SEGABABA, especially on the road, shouldn’t have to return home to face a team that had a preceding off-day.

Just like the Hawks had the last time they returned from Miami to have a refreshed Ja Morant and the Grizzlies waiting for them after one off-day. Today, it’s the Cavs (24-15, winners of 6 straight), who will soon have Darius Garland (broken jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee surgery recovery) back in the fold, but thankfully not today, to rejoin Donovan Mitchell (last 3 games: 36.7 PPG, 40.0 3FG%, 6.7 APG, 6.7 RPG, 3.0 SPG).

Cleveland had not one, but two off-days, finishing off Giannis-less Milwaukee by 40 points moments before Dejounte Murray’s buzzer-beater sank the Magic on Wednesday. Our temps could be better this time of year, but looking at the recent weather coming off Lake Erie, I suppose the Cavs have enjoyed their stay in GA.

I’m beginning to suspect Atlanta’s Turner Sports executives and producers are the culprits messing with the Hawks’ schedule during the offseasons. “It be your own people,” sometimes. As usual, we get Jarrett Allen “swinging by” the NBATV network’s GameTime broadcast, at 7:30 PM yesterday, to shoot the breeze with hosts on the studio’s makeshift court, before getting escorted back to the hotel right down the road. Allen probably got back to his room in time to catch Dejounte’s foreshadowing halftime buzzer-beater down in Miami.

Opposing players arrive, shootaround, eat, sleep, eat, practice, eat, hobnob, eat some more, maybe partake in a little nighttime entertainment (Roman Reigns and WWE had The Farm packed last night), sleep, eat, shootaround, then hop on a bus and get ready to face a Hawks team that, itself, has to hit the road afterwards again.

This time around, there’s a brief Cali trip next week, Atlanta following up a visit to Sactown with the emotionally recovering Warriors, likely to be playing their first game in nine days. Upon the Hawks’ next return home, Luka and the Mavs will already be in town. Checking their Apple watches, tapping their toes.

At least Dallas needs to skedaddle back home the next night. But the Mavs ought to arrive here in fine condition, having had a night off beforehand, and previously following up on an unplanned four-day siesta with a two-game homestand.

Where’s TNT’s Underdog? I demand a congressional hearing. Meanwhile… bring on the Cavs!

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

Because I won't just give it a... rest...

Aside from Allen, Garland, and Ty Jerome among the Cavs players designated as Out, sixth-man Caris LeVert is Doubtful as of this morning's Boo-Boo Report, having suffered a sprained wrist midway through Cleveland's dispatching of the Freak-free Bucks. Fellow reserve Georges Niang picked up the slack and chipped in career-bests 33 points and 10 rebounds.

Still too early for the Hawks' submittal, so no word on Trae's illness recovery or if Dre's status gets an upgrade.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

Is that... holy smokes! That's Kobe Bufkin's music!

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

Thanks lw3! Let’s make it 3! Hey that rhymes.. 

Go Hawks!!!

ps @TheNorthCydeRiseschallenged me to the next level and it wasn’t easy but pulled through!

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[HawksNWaffles]

Once again.....KEEP THE STREAK!!

 

[Jody23]

When Jalen catches the ball in the paint, he's got to shoot the ball.  That will open up the pass opportunities.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Sloppy game so far.  Guards need to shoot the ball.

For this team, I've never been a fan of getting everyone else involved first.  Guards need to get us going, which should open things up for the rest of the team.

[cam1218]

28 minutes ago, HawksNWaffles said:

Once again.....KEEP THE STREAK!!

 

@HawksNWaffles your AI images make me laugh and freak me out at the same time lol.

[terrell]

Turnover max is back.. smh

Edited January 21 by terrell

[cam1218]

Feel like this is the same start to the last time we played Cleveland. Got back in the game late, but the slow start was too much to overcome.

[terrell]

All I want to see is Saddiq Bey take corner 3s…all night. It’s what Quin insists on. Shoot more. smh

Edited January 21 by terrell

[Peoriabird]

Quinn hates to go big!  He also needs to put Bey on minutes restrictions.  Dude is bad!

[terrell]

Patty mills changed the game with his defense... Go Patty

[terrell]

Trae 3 turnovers already

Come on Man.. Jesus

[LucastheThird]

Why was Quinn yelling at Bogi on that play? Multiple guys didn't run back on defense.

[terrell]

Mills effort is REFRESHING

[Jody23]

Quin was not happy with Bogi for some reason.  I'm guessing Bogi was supposed to be in position to get back on defense?

[terrell]

Just now, LucastheThird said:

Why was Quinn yelling at Bogi on that play? Multiple guys didn't run back on defense.

Bogi just cursed him out.. LMao