Atlanta Hawks: Cavs 113, Hawks 111 (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Philips Arena.
The Hawks were duly warned not to take the Cavaliers lightly.
The message didn’t sink in.
The Hawks (9-5) lost a nine-point fourth-quarter lead and dropped a 113-111 decision, snapping a six-game win streak, at Philips Arena Friday night. Alonzo Gee’s rebound and put back of a Dion Waiters airballed 3-pointer with .4 seconds remaining gave the Cavaliers (4-12) the win, snapping their four-game losing streak.
“Ball watching,” Josh Smith said of his failure to box out Gee. “I didn’t make a conscious effort. I knew that Gee is aggressive going for the offensive rebound. That was a stop that we really needed. It was just messed up that it had to be my man to get the rebound and the put back. I’ll definitely make a conscious effort on the next team to box my man out every time.”
Hawks coach Larry Drew said he heard Smith tell his teammates following the game that the loss was on him. He disagreed. The Hawks were beaten badly on the boards all night, losing the battle 49-28. The Hawks also couldn’t contain the Cavaliers’ dribble penetration. Guard Jeremy Pargo had 22 points and Waiters had 21 points as the Cavs played without star guard Kylie Irving (broken finger).
“Coming into the tunnel, I heard Josh Smith mention it was his fault,” Drew said. “He didn’t get the box out at the end. I said ‘Josh, you know what? It wasn’t your fault. That game should have never come down to the last play.’ If we would have shown up the way we are capable of, it wouldn’t have come down to the last play.”
Smith led six Hawks in double-figures with a game-high 25 points. Lou Williams had 18 points followed by Al Horford (11 rebounds) and Jeff Teague with 15, Devin Harris with 13 and DeShawn Stevenson with 12.
The Cavaliers erased a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit and took a 99-97 lead on a Daniel Gibson 3-pointer with 4:25 remaining. They went up by six points, 105-99, on six straight points by Pargo. The Hawks scored the next six points, a three-point play by Teague and a 3-pointer by Williams, to even the score with 1:16 remaining.
Anderson Varejao answered with an inside basket. After a wayward pass by Smith intended for Horford went out of bounds, Dion Waiters scored a layup to go up by four points with 25.5 seconds remaining.
Smith hit a 3-pointer with 18.1 seconds left to cut the lead to one point, 109-108. Varejao hit a pair of free throws with 15.8 remaining but Williams answered with a 3-pointer two seconds later to tie the game at 111-111.
“He made some shots,” Teague said of Pargo. “He’s a capable player. He got to the rim. It was just my fault he got to the rim. I’ve got to get on the pick-and-roll a lot faster. Some of those were lucky shots, I’m just going to say it. He hit a double pump 3-pointer. When a guy gets hot, a guy gets hot.”
Varejao led the Cavaliers with 20 points and 18 rebounds. It was the NBA’s leading rebounder’s 11th double-double of the season, including seven straight.
“They were really going after everything, a lot of long rebounds,” Horford said. “We just didn’t do a good enough job containing them. Even at the end of the game, that last play, Alonzo Gee creeping in there and getting that rebound that was the story of the game.
“I think this was a reality check for us in a way that we need to get back to work and get better on the defensive end.”
The Cavs led 54-50 with 3:30 remaining in the second quarter. Smith started a 17-2 run to close the first half with a 3-pointer. He scored the first seven points of the run. Ivan Johnson scored the last five points including a long-range 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Hawks a 67-56 lead.
The Hawks called a timeout with two seconds remaining in the half. Al Horford threw long to Johnson, who turned and dribbled twice and took the shot. He was mobbed by teammates as the Hawks scored 38 second-quarter points. The 67 first-half points was a season-high, besting the 58 points they scored in the win over the Kings.
“As I told the guys after the game, maybe we needed a game like this,” Drew said. “We’ve been home for a while. We dodged a couple of bullets with some teams. Washington came in here and we were in a similar scenario. Charlotte came in here in a similar scenario. Maybe we needed a game like this. I don’t know.”
The Hawks will take off Saturday and Sunday before returning to practice on Monday. They host the Nuggets on Wednesday and the Wizards on Friday to end a stretch of seven of eight games at home.
- Chris Vivlamore
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74 comments Add your comment
Grandad
December 1st, 2012
2:05 am
I have officially downgraded LD from:
Uncle Larry – to – Candy Ass !
Rusty
December 1st, 2012
2:14 am
LD is a horrible coach. This team wins inspite of him.
Rusty
December 1st, 2012
2:21 am
It’s funny LD never takes any blame for anything,he acts like he is perfect. Shortly after he became the coach I realized that he has no feel for the game,he is not a basketball guy.
vava74
December 1st, 2012
3:07 am
Big Ivan – 9 minutes of play ± of +18
Enough said.
I am so worried that Big Ivan will – justifiably – punch LD in the face and get kicked out that I am almost going nuts about it.
Get some freaking hustlers on the floor, you bloody idiot! Give Ivan HIS DESERVED MINUTES you fool!
Sameba
December 1st, 2012
4:21 am
Here is a quote from nba.com:
——————————————————————
Micah Hart, for NBA.com
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012 11:18 PM – Updated Fri Nov 30, 2012 11:19 PM
GOOD MOVE: When Waiters went cold, Scott put the ball in the hands of guard Jeremy Pargo, and Pargo did not disappoint. Pargo scored on four straight possessions down the stretch for the Cavs, helping them turn an eight-point deficit into a six-point lead.
BAD MOVE: Hawks coach Larry Drew chose to start a smaller lineup against the Cavaliers, starting DeShawn Stevenson instead of Zaza Pachulia against the Cleveland’s rugged frontline. The Cavs saved several possessions throughout the game with timely offensive rebounds, including the game-winner.
Sameba
December 1st, 2012
4:22 am
Hawks are at a disadvantage when they play a small lineup, especially when KK is out!
Gray Mule
December 1st, 2012
5:19 am
Lots and lots of Hawk miscues on this loss. We missed Korver and
his leadership on defense. Think about that one. We’ve been great
on defense until he’s out, and now just look.
Hawks got killed on the boards. Did we forget how?
But, the most grlaring thing. With the clock winding down to just
seconds, wouldn’t nine more points have been great! Game wouldn’t
be close. Hawks would have a comfortable lead.
Where could we find those additional 9 points? Look at the box score.
They are right there for all to see. Hawks left nine points on the free
throw line. Yep. Nine misses from the charity stripe.
Cavs misses one of their free throws. Hawks missed nine. With all
the other terrible things that went wrong, Rebounds, Box outs and
no way to stop those dribbble drive scores, the fact remains. Hit those
free throws – - Hawks win. Mis them and we see the results.
GO HAWKS
Big Daddy
December 1st, 2012
5:57 am
I noticed there was a very sparse crowd at the arena for the game. It is showings like this that make the crowds avoid coming to the Highlight Factory and spending the money to enjoy a game. At home, the Hawks should have blown these guys out. Instead they struggle all night to keep a team that is 4-12 down.
Chris led off this article with the right message, The Hawks were warned not to take this team lightly and they did. Even with a sharpshooter like Korver missing, their defense was awful. We had a starter missing and so did they. Their replacement guys stepped up and did a great job. Ours did not. Think about what the game might have been like if Irving had been in the lineup.
To be considered a top tier team you cannot go to Oklahoma and beat the Thunder on their floor and then come home and lose to the Cavaliers on your home floor. It does not bode well for your aspirations.
I hope the entire team takes this lost for what it is….. a missed opportunity. It’s done, so let’s move on. One last thing. Josh you have saved many games with your last minute heroics, you did blow this one by not boxing out Gee. If you want to get credit for your last minute heroics you have to take the blame for your last minute flubs.
Nate ArchiBALL
December 1st, 2012
7:14 am
A player with back-up skills (ZaZa) must start in order to be effective………Is something wrong with that picture?
ECF or Bust
December 1st, 2012
7:44 am
JT looked like he learned to play d by watching Bibby, oh wait, he did!
ag
December 1st, 2012
7:47 am
After (1) loss trade the entire team.. start with Al, Josh and Teague. If these guys stay together, they will lose 50 games. Fire the coach. ALso, we need a new center. blah..blah.. blah..
I do agree with LD. The team has been playing to the level of their competition to much. This should have been a blowout. The Hawks are not playing 48 minutes. We will be okay. It certainly is a wake up call.
I don’t understand (even though he had a bad game) why the Hawks did not play with the big lineup.
BrazilianHawk
December 1st, 2012
8:44 am
Because LD is a freking horrible HC?
tidog
December 1st, 2012
8:47 am
LD finds it easier to move through the season giving guys dnp rather than being imaginative and finding Jenkins and Scott playing time. He’ll never know if those guys can contribute in games because of his lazy approach to players minutes. The regular season is the ideal time to play all the cards available. Since this is really a rebuilding year, why in the wolrd would you have your #1 draft pick go into the next season still an untested rookie. He has no imagination, no vision, and he’s lazy. Some guys are leaders and some guys are followers. LD is better suited for the assistant coach. position.
Just Joe
December 1st, 2012
9:02 am
Didn’t watch game. Gave up 113 to the Cavs? They rank 20th in the league in points per game. Supposedly it was a flashback to Golden State where we couldn’t stop dribble penetration, which leads to help defense, which leads to offensive rebounds for the opposing team, which leads to more shot attempts, which leads to a big fat L…
Just a box score observation. Teague needs to take it up a notch if the best he can do against Jeremy Freakin Pargo is 4 of 11 shooting, with 7 assists to 4 turnovers, while giving up 22 points.
NORRIS CHUCK
December 1st, 2012
9:15 am
You cant win in the NBA if
1. You get out rebounded 49-28
2. You miss 9 free throws while the other team goes 21 of 22
3. When youre coach is in the post game interview saying “we didnt get rebounds and we have to get better.” But you have a dirty work type guy sitting on the bench most of the game in Ivan Johnson???
He also goes on to say “rebounding is dirty work and you have to be prepared to do it” yet Ivan gets 8 minutes??!!!!
Larry Drew is a complete moron and if Danny Ferry thinks he is the right coach going forward, then he is even a bigger moron!
Once LD and Josh are out of Atlanta then i will try and show more interest!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
December 1st, 2012
9:27 am
LD draws nice plays out of timeouts…
Boo-hooo. Can he motivate a playoff team to blow out a bunch of sh1tty mediocre teams? No, and that’s why we barely beat these teams. His pregame talks about not playing down to competition are BS
hfc95
December 1st, 2012
9:29 am
Couple comments after last nights game..
*I hate that I was sick and unable to post yesterday night but when I read Korver was out, I knew we would lose this game(yes hindsight is easy).
*Anderson Varejao was unbelievable!, He attacked the rim after everybodys shots and caused havoc downlow, ZaZa & AL & Josh could not box him out. 20pts &18rbs is serious stuff
*ZaZa did not make an impact at ALL last night, he seemed lost or something.
*Yet again Ivan plays great every minute he is in but only plays what 9mins?
*I pin this loss on Jeff,Lou and Devin, they could not stop Pargo from driving and he torched us.
*Kyle Korvers 3pt shooting ability = 98′ Randy Moss deep threat ability, it forces teams to focus a lot of attention on him and opens up everything else, when kyle is in it allows jeff,lou and devin to drive to the rim much easier.
I think Wednesday will be a great game and I really want to see Kenneth Faried go against Ivan for extended time, great matchup.
Buddy Grizzard
December 1st, 2012
9:54 am
“Teague needs to take it up a notch if the best he can do against Jeremy Freakin Pargo is 4 of 11 shooting, with 7 assists to 4 turnovers, while giving up 22 points.”
In all fairness, Jeremy Pargo is not a bad player. He has handles and is capable of spectacular passing which distinguishes him from his brother. And honestly, I think Teague would have got up for the game more if Kyrie was playing. Goes back to coaching. Can LD motivate this crew? Not seeing any evidence of it.
SCARDELLETTI
December 1st, 2012
9:57 am
“I WONDERED IF THEY COULD”
4 GAME LOSING STREAK,
CAVALIERS NOT LOOKING GOOD.
PLAYED LAST NIGHT IN ATLANTA,
I WONDERED IF THEY COULD.
BEAT HAWKS IN THEIR PLACE,
IT WOULD BE RATHER ROUGH.
ESPECIALLY WITHOUT IRVING,
MAKES IT DOUBLE TOUGH.
YET, SOMETIMES THINGS TURN OUT,
IN WAYS WE THINK THEY WOULDN’T.
FOR CLEVELAND TOPPED THOSE GUYS,
WHEN I THOUGHT THEY COULDN’T.
PARGO, WAITERS, & VAREJAO,
EACH HAD 20 POINTS OR MORE.
AND GEE PUT IN THAT LAYUP,
WHICH WAS THE WINNING SCORE.
SO THERE GOES A LOSING STREAK,
IT’S OVER, YES, IT’S THROUGH.
NOW THE CAVS ARE HEADING HOME,
FOR PORTLAND AT THE Q.
GOD BLESS
SONINO JOHN PAUL SCARDELLETTI – A CHRISTIAN
hot.trod.87
December 1st, 2012
10:04 am
Enter your comments here drew has a hard time adjusting but one he does, we’re good…Question: Is his staff spending enough time scouting the other team? Walking into this series we knew rebounding was key. Why didn’t Larry go with a big lineup….it was 3 times 2 players wanted to win the game (Josh & Lou) but perimeter defense failed us again…Zaza will have to play as long as Josh is guarding our perimeter. Time after time I have seen Teague get caught going under the screens…playing defense from behind…Also saw Teague not moving without the ball like Lou was….He stood watching Lou…Zaza 21 minutes with 2 rebounds & 2 points….Not going to get it done
hot.trod.87
December 1st, 2012
10:23 am
Waiters Pargo Varajeo were Devin Teague and Al’s man…Horrible perimeter defense & using Al as a center when he doesn’t think he us one against a team (player) who does is chaos…..Josh got 2 big time assists ( to Lou for the game tying 3).& even hit 1 three himself…Both were visibly mad leaving the court
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
December 1st, 2012
11:01 am
I’m glad it took a disheartening loss to a pathetic team without its best player on a horrendous effort on the last play for Smoove to realize that AFTER 8 YEARS, HE HAS NOT BOXED OUT A PLAYER ONCE IN HIS CAREER.
max player my azz
Rusty
December 1st, 2012
11:31 am
This loss is on LD & his crazy substitution patterns.
keith
December 1st, 2012
12:20 pm
Al Horford is a solid Basketball player. He sort of reminds me of Aaron Murray of the Georgia Bulldogs. One game he is up, the next one he is down. Al Horford is a Stock Market Player. We should call him
“Dow Jones Horford” . Having said that, he and Josh needs to have a SUPERSTAR along side them, mentoring them.