The Cavaliers narrowly escaped the TD Garden with a win over the Celtics on Friday night thanks to LeBron James' 41 points. Cleveland trailed by 19 going into the fourth quarter before its explosive offense bailed them out. Now the Cavs will try to extend their winning streak to four when they face the Atlanta Hawks in Cleveland on the second game of a back-to-back.
NBA schedule 2014: Cavaliers go for fourth straight, Clippers look to bounce back
The Cavaliers will face a tough challenge against the Hawks and LaMarcus Aldrdige will try to lead the Blazers past Joe Johnson and the Nets
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Hawks are 5-3 but their record is deceiving. All of their losses came against good teams and they are on a four-game winning streak. This game could tell us a lot about how much have the Cavs really improved after a shaky first couple of games.
These two teams figure to be among the best in the Eastern conference so this could be a playoff preview and is one of the most interesting match-ups in the rather underwhelming 10-game slate the league has for us tonight.
The main course
Cavaliers vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
There are interesting matchups at pretty much every position in this game. Kyrie Irving will have to try and stop Jeff Teague from getting to the bucket. DeMarre Carroll will need to at least slow down LeBron James. Paul Millsap and Kevin Love will rain threes on each other. Both teams can score when they get hot so the winner will likely be determined by who can get the most stops. It should be a fun, high-scoring affair.
TV: SportSouth
More on this game Fear The Sword | Peachtree Hoops
The appetizer
Trail Blazers vs. Nets, 10 p.m. ET
The Nets will end a three-game road trip to the West against the Blazers after dropping the last two to the Suns and Warriors. With a win they could get over .500 before heading back home. The Blazers, meanwhile, have not regressed as many expected and are one of the best teams in the Western Conference. LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Kevin Garnett would have been much more intriguing to watch a few years ago but maybe KG can turn back the clock for this one.
TV: NBATV
More on this game: Blazer’s Edge | NetsDaily
The dessert
Clippers vs. Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET
Both the Clippers and Suns are coming off heartbreaking losses. The Clippers led the Spurs for most of the game on Monday before collapsing and scoring just 15 points in the fourth quarter. The Suns were leading the Hornets by one going into the final period before allowing one of the league's most anemic offenses 29 points in the final frame. Due to an scheduling quirk the Suns will be on the second game of a back-to-back while the Clippers have had four days off. But this one should be close throughout.
TV: FSAZ
More on this game: Clips Nation | Bright Side of the Sun
The leftovers (all times ET)
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, 8:30 p.m.
Kings vs. Spurs, 10 p.m.
Warriors vs. Hornets, 10:30 p.m.
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