Dramatic 2nd Half Comeback for the Cavs
Cleveland did the unbelievable against the Hawks
Cavaliers-98
Hawks-92
Drew Gooden had a season-high 24 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks against the Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, Ga. Nov.9 (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks were unstoppable in the first half as they led by as many as 22 points against the Cavaliers. Cleveland was down six points at the end of the first quarter and things got worse in the 2nd quarter as the Hawks outscored them 27-16.
Heading into the 3rd quarter, the Cavaliers were down 52-35. Gooden had a team-high 12 points and 8 rebounds. Lebron was 1/7 from the field with just 6 points. Al Harrington had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks. Cleveland was shooting 30% from the field in the first half.
The Cavaliers started the 3rd quarter on a 7-0 run that cut the lead to 52-42. Kenny Anderson's layup put the Hawks back up 16 points with a 58-42 lead. Antonie Walker who had 5 fouls in the first half, fouled out wtih 4:25 left in the 3rd after Drew Gooden went inside to draw contact. Walker fouled out with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Ilgauskas fouled out for Cleveland later on with 3:07 left in the 3rd quarter. He finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds in 24 minutes of play. At the end of the quarter, the Cavs trailed 63-76. Boris Diaw scored 8 of his 16 points in the 3rd quarter.
With 8:09 left in the period, Diop injured his left arm after going for a foul on Drobnjak. Later on in the game, the commentators indicated that Diop had a strained left finger and would not return to action. Drew gooden dunked the ball with 7:44 left in the game to cut the Hawks lead to 84-75. On Cleveland's next drive, Lebron passed the ball inside to Traylor who got the layup to cut the Hawks lead to 7 points with 7:03 left in the 4th. James made a key jumper with 5:23 left that made the game a two possession game and the shot gave him 19 points for the game after only scoring 6 points in the first half. After Al Harrington missed a jumper, Lebron got the rebound and was able to find Traylor again under the basket for the easy two points. The score was 89-85 with 4:54 left in the quarter. Cleveland were outscoring the Hawks 22-13 in the quarter.
Atlanta committed a turnover on their next possession with 4:32 left in teh game. McInnis blew past Harrington on the mismatch and made the game a one possession game as the Hawks led 89-87. Robert Traylor tied the game after overpowering Harrington in the paint. Cleveland's comeback was complete as they overcame a 17 point deficit at the beginning of the 2nd half and teh Hawks were forced to call a timeout. "We played as a team and with alot of heart tonight. There's no doubt about it. These men showed that they never give up on any given night," coach Paul Silas said.
Harrington was fouled by Lebron and he made 1/2 from the line. McInnis isolated Kevin Willis and he took it coast to coast against him and he gave the Cavs their first lead of the game with 3:18 left. Harrington gave the Hawks a 92-91 lead after making a jumper. Traylor was posting Willis up and Traylor elevated and dunked the ball on Willis and got the foul. Traylor missed the FT, but the Cavs still led 93-92 with 2:43 left in the game. Willis fouled out after fouling Traylor again on the perimeter which also sent Traylor to the line. Robert Traylor missed the first one, but made teh 2nd and he had a season-high 13 points, 7 rounds for the Cavs after making the free throw. Boris Diaw missed a 3 in the corner that would've gave the Hawks the lead and Gooden grabbed his 15th rebound of the game. He was fouled with 1:24 left in the period and was sent to the line. Gooden missed both FT's and Collier grabbed the rebound for the Hawks. Atlanta used their last timeout of the game after the rebound.
Anderson put up a jumper that rolled off the rim and Gooden grabbed another rebound with 1:08 left in the period. Cleveland could not get a shot off and had a shot clock violation with 46.9 secs left. On the Hawks next possession, Harrington passed the ball to Diaw for another jumper, but it hit the front of the rim and Gooden grabbed his 17th rebound of the game wtih 28 seconds left. Drobnjak fouled Ira Newble with 25.4 seconds left and he went to the line to shoot two FT's. Newble made both FT's to put Cleveland up 96-92 in the game. nderson came down and shot a 3 that didn't go in and Traylor grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled with 15.7 secs left. Traylor made the first one, but missed the 2nd and Lebron was able to grab the offensive rebound and was fouled with 14.5 secs left. James missed the first one, but made the 2nd one that put the Cavs up 98-92 and it sealed the game for Cleveland. Gooden finished with 24 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Photos from the Game:
Ilgauskas had foul trouble throughout the entire game
Newble played a season-high 32 minutes and scored 8 points
McInnis stepped up big in the 2nd half for Cleveland
Lebron with the acrobatic layin vs. the Hawks
Lebron going in on the Hawks defense for the easy layup
Walker could not get going in the game as he fouled out early in the 3rd quarter
Harrington only scored 5 points in the 2nd half for the Hawks
Box Score
November 8, 2004 Scores
107
117
A. Jamison-40pts, 7rebs
107
76
A. Stoudemire-15pts, 12rebs
97
101
T. McGrady-25pts, 6rebs
80
75
D. Nowitzki-13pts, 6rebs
76
84
J. Magloire-20pts, 17rebs
108
117
K. Garnett-31pts, 10rebs, 9asts
102
122
C. Anthony-31pts, 8rebs
100
93
V. Carter-17pts, 7asts
97
120
R. Jefferson-42pts, 11rebs
96
84
A. Iverson-25pts, 9asts
Last edited by
-BHZMAFIA- on Mon Dec 06, 2004 10:39 am, edited 1 time in total.