HAWKS CLAW CAVS AGAIN

Atlanta move to next round, as NBA-topping Cleveland coach admits they were outplayed

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The Cleveland Cavaliers must be sick of the Atlanta Hawks by now, with coach Kenny Atkinson admitting that his side were outplayed once again on Nov 29.

De'Andre Hunter scored 23 points off the bench as the Hawks swooped for another National Basketball Association (NBA) victory over the Cavs - their second in two days over the Eastern Conference leaders.

Atlanta, who handed Cleveland their first home defeat of the season on Nov 27, came out on top at home, parlaying a 52-50 half-time lead into a 117-101 triumph.

It was enough to put them into the NBA Cup knockout rounds as winner of their group, after the Boston Celtics beat the Bulls 138-129 in Chicago.

"They outplayed us," Atkinson said, after the Cavaliers were held to their lowest points total of the season. "Sometimes you just have to call it like you see it.

"They beat us pretty good, I think, two straight games. I don't know what to say. You just have to give them credit. They've been the better team.

"We didn't play great either game, and this is the NBA. They are a talented team. We obviously didn't shoot the ball well tonight."