The Atlanta Hawks needed a big effort and responded in a blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hawks set the tone with a huge first quarter and turned in one of their most complete performances in a long time in a 117-98 win over the Cavaliers.
Atlanta came out smoking from long range connecting on 6-11 attempts from three-point range. The Hawks went 14-21 from the field in the opening 12 minutes and led 39-23 by the time the dust had settled. They kept the pressure on in the second as Atlanta's second unit came up big. Mike Scott scored 11 of his game-high 26 points in the period as the Hawks extended the lead to as many as 23 points. Cleveland finished the quarter on a run thanks to nine Atlanta turnovers and was able to trim the lead to 61-49 at the break.
Atlanta came out strong once again to start the second half but the Cavaliers refused to go away. Cleveland cut the Hawks' lead to 69-57 midway through the third before Jeff Teague scored six straight to push the lead back to 19. The Cavaliers wouldn't threaten again and the Hawks coasted home for the victory.
Scott led the way for the Hawks with 26 points off the bench on 12-13 shooting. Teague overcame a slow start to finish with 20 points and 12 assists. Atlanta finished with 35 assists on 48 made baskets and shot 58 percent for the game. Lou Williams and Paul Millsap finished with 16 points each while DeMarre Carroll was also in double figures with 13.
Dion Waiters led the Cavaliers with 23 points and Spencer Hawes logged a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Cleveland shot just 40 percent for the game and were a dismal 5-21 from three-point range.