Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks

 

The Cavaliers, deprived of LeBron James touched ankle, began their preseason by a defeat, dominated by Atlanta (108-93) Wednesday at the Quicken Loans Arena. For their first in the Cleveland jersey, Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade were rather to their advantage, the image of the whole five starting. The Hawks finally made the difference in the second half with the Tyronn Lue rotations. Dennis Schröder remained in his post-Euro form, the scorer of the match (18 points to 7/15 in 25 minutes).

Fourteen minutes, not one more. This is what the Ohio team technician left to his incumbents and his two rookies in the evening, waiting for Isaiah Thomas to return to business. A limited time but enough to give an idea of ​​the contribution of Rose and Wade to this team of Cavs. The two companions of the backcourt brought a lot of rhythm to the game of the champion of the East, alternating each one to the creation. Cleveland showed a good will to share the ball even without his commander in chief. Of the 16 baskets entered by the starting five in the evening, 13 were consecutive to a decisive pass. Seven were the work of the Rose - Wade duo.

The lead remained the property of D-Rose, and with good reason. The former Knick showed an excellent physical condition, seeming to have regained all his speed ball in hand. The MVP (7 points, 3 assists) is ready to take over the time of return in the shape of Isaiah Thomas. He has sought to put his shoppers in ideal condition, like Jae Crowder (8 points).

Cleveland fell to the top with half-time lead thanks to Kevin Love's 12 points, with his substitutes largely dominated by the Hawks. The veterans of the bench have unscrewed: 3/12 for Channing Frye, 1/8 for Kyle Korver, 0/4 for José Calderon. Iman Shumpert, on the spot after Wade's arrival, injured his foot after two minutes spent on the floor. Not enough to worry so early in preparation but what else to work for the troupe of LeBron James, which should be held Friday against Indiana.