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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks: Game Preview, Prediction

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By @DSchultz89

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Cleveland Cavaliers (18-12) vs. Atlanta Hawks (22-8)

Game Time, TV: Tuesday, Dec. 30 – 7:30 on NBA TV

Projected Starting Lineups:

Cleveland Cavaliers: PG: Kyrie Irving, SG: Mike Miller, SF: LeBron James, PF: Kevin Love, C: Tristan Thompson

Atlanta Hawks: PG: Jeff Teague, SG: Kyle Korver, SF: DeMarre Carroll, PF: Paul Millsap, C: Al Horford

The Cavaliers will look to get their season back on track when they take on the surprisingly dominant Hawks on Tuesday night.

Much has already been said about the situation the Cavaliers find themselves in currently. They were blown out on their home floor by the lackluster Detroit Pistons on Sunday, and rumors have begun to circulate as to if head coach David Blatt is starting to lose his team. However, given LeBron James and his return home to Cleveland, it is not shocking to see how closely the team is being followed now, and how the media continues to overreact to every loss they go through along the way.

The Hawks have quietly gone about their business while nobody pays attention to just how impressive they have been to start the season. Each one of their starters is averaging in double figures for points per contest, evidence that the system second-year head coach Mike Budenholzer has put in place has worked wonders. Many forget that the Hawks were a very good team last year before a crippling season-ending injury to star center Al Horford, and even then they still pushed the No. 1 seed Indiana Pacers to a seven-game series as a No. 8 seed last season. As long as everyone stays healthy, I see no reason why the Hawks cannot be a contender this season.

When looking at this game and predicting the outcome, I have to go with the Hawks. It was only two weeks ago when they slaughtered the Cavaliers on their home court by a score of 127-98, and from a sheer confidence standpoint they definitely have the edge seeing how well they have played recently. On paper, one could argue that the Cavaliers are the better team given they have arguably the best basketball player in the world in James on their squad. But basketball is not about the individual, but the team and how they play together as one, and so far the Hawks look like they are a more cohesive unit than the Cavaliers.

I do not believe this will be a blowout, but I do think the Hawks will ultimately get the win.

Prediction: Hawks 111, Cavaliers 102

Dan Schultz is an NBA sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @dschultz89. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.

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