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The Atlanta Hawks won't have to deal with Cleveland's Anderson Varejao Friday after the Cavs' center has been ruled out with a bruised knee.
The #ATLHawks catch a break tonight as #Cavs forward Anderson Varejao will miss the game with a bruised right knee.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 28, 2012
Varejao has missed the last four games and also will not play on Saturday against Brooklyn. The Hawks are already without Devin Harris and likely Ivan Johnson who is listed as doubtful with a stomach bug.
In Atlanta's 113-111 loss to Cleveland back on November 30, the Hawks were hammered on the boards 49-28. Varejao grabbed 18 of those 49 rebounds for the Cavs. His presence and length will be sorely missed by Cleveland.
Rookie Tyler Zeller is expected to start at center for Cleveland and is averaging 7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 24 minutes per game this season.