THE hot-shooting Cleveland Cavaliers needed each one of their 18 three-pointers to stretch their win run to 10 after surviving a scare against the lowly Atlanta Hawks, 121-114, on Thursday (Friday, Manila time)at the Philips Arena
After a blazing start with 42 first-quarter points, the Cavs trailed at the half, 67-63, after the Hawks closed the second period strong.
But a 16-5 blitz in the third quarter got the Cleveland back up by 12, 94-82, late in the period before Atlanta threatened with another rally in the fourth, cutting the gap to one, 113-112, with over two minutes to play as Ersan Ilyasova capped an 8-3 run with a pair of free throws.
Yet the Hawks wasted a chance to take the lead following a charge on Dwyane Wade and LeBron James hit a huge three-pointer on the next play to give the Cavs some breathing room. Wade added to the lead with a floater off a steal to put them up 118-112 at the 1:14 mark.
Atlanta turned cold at the worst time as Cleveland kept streaking and improved to a 15-7 record.
Kevin Love led the Cavs with a double-double of 25 points, including four triples, and 16 rebounds. James also had a double-double with 24 markers, hitting three treys, and 12 assists. Wade added 19 points, including three triples, off the bench.
Dennis Schroder led the Hawks with 27 points, while Ilyasova fired 22 off the bench.
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