Double-Double By LBJ Stops Hawks From Taking Flight Cavaliers Win 100-95

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

LeBron James recorded a double-double scoring 26 points, and grabbed 11 boards as the Cleveland Cavaliers stopped the Atlanta Hawks Friday night, and won 100-95. Unlike Thursday night when Cleveland lost to Houston this time he had lots of help from his teammates, as the Cavaliers held on in the end.

For some reason there are certain teams who have other team’s “numbers.”?It doesn’t matter if the teams are playing on opposite ends of the extreme, some teams just historically are tough to beat by other teams. In MLB it’s the Kansas City Royals?who have the Cleveland?Indians “number.” No matter how good a season the Tribe is having and how badly K.C. plays Cleveland always has trouble defeating them. The Atlanta Hawks have not been any good since the Reagan Administration (I may be exaggerating, but not by much.)?Yet the Cavaliers have always had a tough time beating them, Friday night was no exception.

Atlanta jumped out to a razor thin lead as they had a 26-25 advantage at the end of the first quarter, Cleveland took the lead as the two teams reached the half, with the Cavaliers leading 59-50. Cleveland still had the upper hand at the end of the third, as they were up by double digits?leading 80-69, but Atlanta was not quite through, yet. The Hawks started the final?quarter on fire offensively and defensively as they went on a 16-4?run to take?the lead at 85-84 as Josh smith slammed home a bucket, and then hit the shot at the line on the penalty.?The lead changed hands a couple of times over the next few possessions, but soon Cleveland was up 94-89, and Atlanta could not rally again.

James shot 11-24?from the floor, 4-4 at the line for 26 points, along with his 11 rebounds, he had 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. With Drew Gooden still out with a strained groin, Ira Newble stepped up big scoring a season high 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, Zydrunas Ilgauskas also recorded a double-double, 17 points, 11 boards, 4 blocks, 1 assist. Larry Hughes scored 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and Damon Jones came off the bench?to score 13 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds.

Joe Johnson led the way for Atlanta as he scored 23 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. Marvin Williams scored 21 points, 5 rebounds, Josh Smith scored 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, Josh Childress scored 12 points, 6 boards, 3 assists, 1 block. Cleveland is now sitting at 28-21 Atlanta is 21-25.

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox