The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team in the NBA to remain unbeaten in the ever-so-competitive league and will be eager to take that winning streak to seven straight wins as they prepare to face Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday.
The NBA champions have shown that they are hungry for more title, with their splendid start to the season. Key players like LeBron James and Kyrie Irving have contributed to the victories, which makes them a formidable team in the NBA.
Though they might not have been beaten so far, the Cavs have won some of the matches by a narrow margin. For example, take their last game against the Philadelphia 76ers, they won by a single point, prior to that six-point win over Boston Celtics.
But does that really matter when they are winning? However, one has to remember that such stats do not lie even if it may not matter much when they are winning.
If one looks at the opposition they have faced, Toronto Raptors and Houston Rocket might be the biggest opposition so far. The Hawks could be a stern test if the Cavs drop a gear or two.
The trio of James, Irving and Kevin Love have been bright, averaging 23 points, 22.8 and 21.7 per game. Add to that the strong defensive displays from Tristan Thompson, they have been a solid team in all departments of the game. That does not mean they are an unbeatable team, Cans can finish second best, but for that to happen, their opponents have to stop the trio from scoring big.
The Hawks have it in them as they have shown it this season, defeating their opponents by a big margin. But they are also aware that playing the Cavs in front of their Q2 fans, it is a different matter altogether, especially when the fans chant their star players names. The atmosphere can be terrifying.
The Hawks also have been good, winning four of their six matches. Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard will be key for the Hawks on Tuesday. They have shown that they can outscore teams with their offensive plays, but the question remains – can they do it against the formidable Cavaliers unit? The Hawks cannot depend on the duo only, but players like Kent Bazemore needs to contribute to help his team emerge victorious.
Where to Watch Live
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks is set to begin at 7 pm ET (12 am GMT, 5:30 am IST next day). Live Streaming and TV guide for the NBA match is given below.
India: No Live coverage
USA: TV: NBA TV
UK: TV: BT Sport. Live Streaming: Watch BT Sport
International: NBA Online
