Atlanta 98, Cleveland 95 | Dec. 13, 2008 | Philips Arena

---

Links:
Recap | Box Score | Post-Game Press Conference | Game Highlights | Quotes

• Fresh off an inspiring win at Miami a night ago, the Atlanta Hawks snapped the 11-game winning streak of the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday before a sellout crowd at Philips Arena, 97-92.
• The Hawks, winners of two straight, are now 14-9 on the season. Cleveland, who came into the game with the NBA's second-best record is now 20-4.
• A thrilling Eastern Conference matchup, featuring All-Stars Joe Johnson and LeBron James, it didn't disappoint. Mike Bibby finished with 24 to lead the Hawks for the fifth time this season, as all five starters totaled double-digits.
• Marvin Williams posted 19, Johnson had 17, and Josh Smith and Al Horford each finished with 12.
• James led everyone with 33.
• Atlanta connected on 48 percent of their FGs and outrebounded Cleveland, 40-34. The Hawks also took advantage of 31-of-39 free throws to 19-of-23 for the Cavaliers.
• Atlanta got off to a rousing start behind the play of Bibby (9), and Johnson and Smith (6 each), in addition to 63.2% shooting. James had 14 for the Cavs, who made 43 percent of their shots. After one, it was Atlanta 31-24.
• A low scoring second quarter (16-14 Atlanta) allowed the Hawks to increase their halftime lead to nine, 47-38, and their strong defensive pressure held the Cavaliers to 38 percent over the first 24 minutes.
• The visitors asserted themselves in the third en route to closing the gap to two, 68-66 as the quarter ended. Mo Williams hit 4-7 FGs and one triple to finish with 11 points.
• The Hawks return to action Monday night when Atlanta hosts Charlotte at 7 pm (790 AM).

Photo Of The Night

LeBron levitates to score two of his 14 first quarter points.

What You Really Need To Know
The Hawks ended the Cavaliers 11-game winning streak with a 97-92 win featuring 24 points from Mike Bibby and a fourth quarter battle between two All-Stars, Joe Johnson and LeBron James. Atlanta jumped out to an early 24-12 lead, and maintained it until a Cleveland run at the end of the third quarter cut it to two. The fourth quarter turned into a shootout between Joe Johnson and LeBron James, but Joe's biggest plays may have been his assists to Marvin Williams and Bibby who each hit big three's down the stretch to establish a slim lead that led to the victory.

Fantasy MVP: Mike Bibby
Mike continues to have a hot hand for the Hawks, and finished with 24 points (9-of-16 shooting), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and only one turnover.


Momentum Changer
There were ten lead changes in the fourth quarter, so it wasn't until the final minute that either team felt like they were in control. Two plays stand out as difference makers. Mike Bibby hit a 3-pointer with 2:13 remaining, resulting in the final lead change. The play that isn't as glaring in the box score is Al Horford's final rebound of the game. With the Hawks clinging to a two-point lead and milking the clock, Horford chased down a Mike Bibby miss with 20 second remaining and was able to tip it out to Marvin who extended the Hawks lead to three at the free throw line.

What Went Right

• Balanced scoring. All five starters scored in double figures.
• Joe in the 4th. Joe scored on four straight possesions early in the period forcing Cleveland to send two defenders at him the rest of the game. This opened things up for Marvin and Bibby to hit clutch 3's in the closing minutes while Joe continued to pick his moments to do the scoring himself.
• LeBron: 2Q & 3Q. Atlanta held King James to just five points in the two middle quarters.
• Big Z. Zaza Pachulia helped key the early run that saw the Hawks jump out to a double-digit lead and finished with eight points and six rebounds off the bench.

• One Bad Run. The Hawks allowed the Cavs to go on a 13-0 run covering the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter, resulting in a 11-point lead transforming into a 2-point deficit.
• LeBron: 1Q & 4Q. King James had 14 points in each quarter, helping him to a game-high 33.