|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME FLOW
ATLANTA (AP) -- Matt Harpring and Chris Gatling helped the
Cleveland Cavaliers stop their downward spiral.
"We accepted the challenge tonight," said Gatling, a reserve
who scored 13 points in a 97-85 victory over the Atlanta Hawks that
halted the Cavs' five-game losing streak. "Guys went out and
played hard. Everybody was really prepared."
Lamond Murray scored 22 points and Andre Miller had 19 for
Cleveland.
Jason Terry had 28 points and Dikembe Mutombo had 20 rebounds
for the Hawks.
"We battled back instead of giving in," said Harpring, who had
13 points despite an ailing left Achilles tendon. "When you're on
a losing streak, it's easy to fall and keep falling."
Murray, who had 11 rebounds, hit two 3-pointers
and had a tip-in to push Cleveland's lead to 10 points midway
through the fourth quarter.
Miller left the game with 9:52 to go in the third after hitting
his head on the floor as he fouled Terry. He returned with two
stitches above his left eye to hit a 3-pointer with 2:22 remaining
that gave Cleveland a 91-80 lead.
The Cavs are battling injuries. Harpring and Gatling (sprained
right ankle) were listed as questionable after missing a home loss
to Milwaukee Thursday. Three other key players -- starting center
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (broken left foot), guard Bimbo Coles (knee) and
guard Wesley Person (elbow) -- are on the injured list.
"I was impressed with the way we wanted to play," Cleveland
coach Randy Wittman said. "We followed our script defensively."
Atlanta lost its second straight after winning four in a row.
The Hawks trailed by 12 points with 4:59 remaining in the third and
stormed back to take a 76-75 lead on Terry's 18-foot jumper with
9:38 remaining in the game.
"It seems like a throwback to several weeks ago when we just
didn't have the energy or the activity," Hawks coach Lon Kruger
said. "I certainly credit Cleveland for making the plays and for
dictating much of the ballgame, especially early."
Harpring, an Atlanta native who starred at Georgia Tech, dropped
in a layup that gave the Cavs a lead they never relinquished.
Terry, who scored 11 of his 28 points in the third quarter,
missed three shots and had two turnovers down the stretch.
"The last two games have been tough," Terry said. "We get
behind late in critical times, and I take full blame for it
offensively. I just couldn't find the range when I needed it."
Clarence Weatherspoon hit three consecutive jumpers from the
left baseline to give Cleveland an eight-point lead with 3:09 to
go. Weatherspoon finished with 16 points.
Lorenzen Wright scored 20 points for the Hawks.
Game notes
The Cavs converted 19 Atlanta turnovers into 28 points. ...
Brevin Knight handed out five of his game-high six assists in the
third quarter. ... Mutombo extended his free throw scoring streak
to 20, the longest of his career in Atlanta.
|
|
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Cleveland Clubhouse
Atlanta Clubhouse
RECAPS
Cleveland 97
Atlanta 85
Miami 98
Washington 91
New York 95
Chicago 68
Portland 104
Vancouver 81
Golden State 100
Utah 89
|
