Coming off LeBron James’ 57-point performance, it appeared the Cavaliers had finally gained some momentum.
A team that had not won since the season opener proved otherwise.
Dennis Schroeder on Sunday scored 28 points as the injury-riddled Atlanta Hawks ended an eight-game losing streak, beating skidding Cleveland 117-115.
The Hawks had not won since beating Dallas on Oct. 18 and were missing five players, but the Cavaliers went down to yet another puzzling loss.
James, who had 26 points and 13 rebounds, was soaking his feet in a tub of ice water, and had ice wraps on both knees and his right elbow following the game.
He did not have an explanation for why there was no carry-over from Friday’s 130-122 win over Washington.
“That’s a question I cannot answer,” James said. “I was ready to go. A lot of the guys were ready to go. I cannot answer that question.”
Cavaliers forward Kevin Love was taken to the hospital after leaving in the third quarter with an illness.
The team announced that Love, who had four points and four rebounds in 19 minutes, was treated and released.
The Cavaliers cut a 16-point deficit in the second half to two on James’ basket with 21 seconds left.
Atlanta’s Isaiah Taylor missed two free throws with 12.1 seconds to go, but Channing Frye missed a three-pointer and Dwyane Wade’s tip-in fell off the rim.
“To get a win in Cleveland is not easy to do,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “They had a chance down the stretch where they got back in it, but I’m happy for our guys. It’s a good win.”
The Cavaliers have also lost to Orlando, New York, Indiana and Brooklyn during their rocky stretch, which has included three straight defeats at home.
Wade kept Cleveland in the game with 19 points in the first half and finished with a season-high 25.
Cleveland’s first-quarter problems continued.
Coach Tyronn Lue used two timeouts in the first seven minutes as the Hawks raced ahead 27-11.
“No energy. The effort was pretty bad,” James said of the early deficit. “You turn the corner, but you can’t fix it in one game. We just have to try and figure it out.”
Atlanta had seven players in double figures, including the five starters.
Luke Babbitt, making his first start of the season in place of Mike Muscala (sprained ankle), and Taurean Prince each scored 17 points.
MARRED FINAL: As most of Senegalese players walked off the pitch after a controversial decision, some supporters threw objects and attempted to get onto the pitch Senegal on Sunday won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner sunk hosts Morocco 1-0 after a chaotic final that saw the eventual champions storm off the pitch late in the game. Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with a controversial spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time as ugly scenes broke out in the stands. However, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted “Panenka” chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.
James Harden on Friday scored 31 points and came up big in overtime to help the Los Angeles Clippers erase a double-digit deficit on the way to a 121-117 NBA victory over the Toronto Raptors. Harden scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Clippers pushed their wining steak to five games despite the absence of star Kawhi Leonard with a sprained right ankle. The Clippers trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but Harden drilled a pair of free-throws with 1:24 left in regulation to tie it and after misses from both teams, they went to
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
RSS