Atlanta Hawks Dominate on Dominique Wilkins Night
On a night when the Atlanta Hawks and fans celebrated their love and respect for Dominique Wilkins, they also showed their domination over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers!
125. 97. 156. Final. 106
The Atlanta Hawks celebrated Dominique Wilkins all week long down at Phillips Arena, culminating in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday that featured some stylish Dominique throwback uniforms.
For many fans in the arena, getting to see an amazing Dominique introduction followed by a game against the new superstar Lebron James was pure sports heaven.
In the first half, Atlanta lived up to their billing as the best team in the East, shooting 55% from the floor as they dominated the paint against the Cavs.
Pick and rolls were everywhere, passing lanes were open, and the ball movement was crisp like a winter breeze.
Al Horford really stole the show in the first half with his 13 points, two of them coming on a reverse under the basket jam that electrified the crowd. At the half, it was the Hawks 53-43.
Then came halftime, which I normally wouldn’t even bother talking about here. In this case however, Dominique delivered a speech to the fans on the joy and pride he’d experienced this week, and a painter commissioned a painting of him live on the floor.
Dominique was classy as usual when he thanked the fans for his success, and said that he was never leaving the city of Atlanta. He felt that the fans in Atlanta aren’t fickle, and that they were the greatest fans in the NBA.
Live Feed
Betsided
Dominique made it about the people, and not about himself. That’s Dominique, and that’s what makes him one of the most beloved figures in Atlanta sports.
Cleveland wasn’t going to fade away quietly in the second half. If you believed that a double digit lead would be enough to discourage them, I have news. Nobody in the NBA that makes the playoffs is scared of 10 point deficit.
As the game wore on, the play got scrappier and the lead diminished. The shocking part for me was how Kyle Korver went absolutely ice cold for most of the game. He’s usually a fire-starter from beyond the arc, but Kyle was no help until the fourth quarter when he finally started draining triples.
By the start of the fourth quarter, the Atlanta Hawks lead deflated to just two measly points, and it was anybody’s game.
I never felt worried though. I never felt like the Atlanta Hawks were going to give the game away, and they didn’t. They dominated the fourth quarter, while Lebron James looked like he wanted no part of the Hawks challenge.
More from ATL All Day
- Atlanta Braves: Felix Has Already Shown Enough to Win a Rotation Spot
- Atlanta Braves Implode Late To Phillies, Cole Hamels Remains Sidelined
- Kyle Wright Shines As Folty Struggles In Atlanta Braves Loss To Red Sox
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Braves: Grapefruit League Play Check Up
Would it be different in the playoffs? Absolutely it would, but it was still odd to see the touted best player in basketball completely wilt under the Hawks suffocating defense.
Who was the MVP in the Hawks win? I have to give it to Mike Scott, who came off the bench with 14 points in just 17 minutes of floor time. He was a scoring force late, and it made the difference in the Hawks sealing away the victory.
Up next, the Atlanta Hawks play the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Expect to see our bench players get some time while Coach Bud gives some well-earned rest to the starters after this battle.