Josh Smith pulls Atlanta Hawks past Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime thriller 103 – 102 – NBA Recap
The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers wowed the Philips Arena crowd on Wednesday with an enthralling encounter. The game swayed back and forth throughout and the drama was only concluded in extra time.
Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith produced an enormous effort to help his side grab the win, scoring 32 points and hauling down 17 rebounds for his huge double-double. Smith also had 3 blocks and 5 assists in an all round display.
His would had been in vain though, if it weren’t for some late heroics by Joe Johnson. The Hawks guard hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that took the game into overtime, and was again at hand to nail the jumper that gave Hawks the win.
"I don't look at a shot any different in the first quarter than I do at the end," said Johnson, who finished the game with 22 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds. "I'll either hit it or miss it. But I think my chances of making it are really good."
Cleveland coach Byron Scott was left wondering what could have been after his side gave away the advantage not only in regulation, but also in overtime.
"We gave up a 3 and a three-point play while up six in overtime so within 30 seconds it was a tied ball game ... which is something we just can't do ... We gave them the game. We just made some bad decisions at the end."
The Cavs started the game well, they were up 8 – 2 early on. A 7 – 0 burst put their lead into double digits, 23 -10, and they didn’t look back afterwards, finishing the first quarter in control at 36 – 21.
The comeback from Atlanta started in the 2nd period. They restricted the Hawks to just 17 points and kept pounding at the other end, scoring 33. At halftime therefore they were actually in the lead, 54 – 53.
After the interval the pace of the game slowed down considerably. Neither side could find any rhythm on offence and the scores remained very close, the 3rd frame ending 73 – 72 to Cleveland. The fourth period was played in a similar vein, with the Cavs finding some breathing room but Johnson’s dagger from downtown wiped that away, forcing overtime.
Cavs went up 101 – 95 in overtime before the Hawks pounded 6 without reply, and when Johnson nailed his go ahead jumper, Cleveland had no reply, bowing out at 103 – 102.
Kyrie Irving scored 29 points, had 9 assists and grabbed 9 boards in the losing effort for Cleveland while Antawn Jamison netted 23. Rookie Tristan Thompson had 13 points and 5 boards.
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