Atlanta Hawks: 4 Observations from Cavaliers Game

Nov 21, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward

(4) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward

(0) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 109-97 in Saturday night’s rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.

The final score is not indicative of how bad the game really was for the Atlanta Hawks. At one point in the third quarter the Hawks deficit was 26 points, but a couple of second-half runs cut the Cavaliers lead down into the teens. Other than a tightly contested first quarter that saw a few different lead changes, the Cleveland Cavaliers physicality gave the Atlanta Hawks fits all night.

-= Related: Atlanta Hawks Schedule: About to Get Even Tougher =-

After getting swept 4-0 in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, the Atlanta Hawks hoped to come into Saturday’s game with more energy and a modified gameplan against Cleveland. After the first quarter, the Cavaliers front-court controlled the glass and in turn prevented any second chance opportunities for the Atlanta Hawks to capitalize on.

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

It did not help that the Atlanta Hawks were not making their shots. On the night, the Hawks shot 37.2 percent from the field on the night; and if not for a late fourth quarter run, would have shot around 30 percent on Saturday. Against a team like the Cavaliers, the Atlanta Hawks surgical precision is not the best way to compete with their physicality.

As usually is the case when the Atlanta Hawks oppose the Cavaliers, the officiating did not play into the visitors favor, and featured some questionable calls and no calls. Regardless of the outcome, the silver lining for the Atlanta Hawks is that Saturday’s game provides much needed experience for a team dealing with some adversity during the early going of the regular season. Here are four observations from Saturday’s game.

Next: Frontcourt Physicality