Hawks pull away in first half, rout Cavaliers 136-119

ATLANTA (AP)— The Atlanta Hawks returned from the All-Star break — and acoaching change — refreshed and motivated.

The ClevelandCavaliers, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, couldn’tmatch Atlanta’s energy and drive.

Trae Youngscored 34 points and the Hawks beat the Cavaliers 136-119 on Fridaynight in their first game under interim coach Joe Prunty.

DejounteMurray had 15 of his 25 points in Atlanta’s high-scoring secondperiod.

DariusGarland led the Cavaliers, who suffered their third straight loss,with 33 points. Donovan Mitchell had 19.

The Hawksplayed their first game since coachNate McMillan was firedonTuesday. The team had three practices, including a shootaroundsession on Friday morning, under Prunty, who had been McMillan’slead assistant.

“Each nightis a new experience, understanding a team that is fresh and newlymotivated,” said Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who said thatcreated a challenge for his players “being prepared to match that,and I don’t think we matched that enough. ... We didn’t put up muchresistance, especially in the first half.”

The Cavalierslost to Denver 115-109 on Thursday night.

Generalmanager Landry Fields said Wednesday that former UtahcoachQuin Snyder is acandidateto replace McMillan. Snyder could be hired totake over the team this season.

Atlanta heldits big lead of 32 points for the last time at 103-71 late in thethird quarter before Cleveland pulled to within 13 points at 108-95in the final period. Atlanta then reclaimed its momentum.

Murray missedhis first five shots before making his next seven in the secondperiod. The Hawks’ 49 points in the period were their most in anyquarter this season. They led 81-57 at halftime, setting anotherseason-high mark for points in an opening half.

“I think wewere pushing the ball and playing fast and getting some 3s andgetting some stops, too,” Young said. “It was a big effort tonighton the defensive end, for sure.”

Prunty saidhe worried his players would be rusty after the break and said “Iwas really impressed with our guys and how we started thegame.”

BEYIMPRESSES

Saddiq Bey,acquired by Atlanta from Detroit on Feb. 9 as part of a three-teamtrade with Golden State, had 19 points while starting at powerforward as a fill-in. John Collins (concussion protocol) did notplay. The 6-foot-8 Bey, listed as a guard-forward, is thought to bebest suited to play small forward but showed his versatility whilefilling in for Collins at power forward.

ROADWOES

TheCavaliers, fourth in the Eastern Conference at 38-25, have goodmotivation to earn home-court advantage in the postseason. Theyfell to only 13-18 in road games to offset their 25-7 mark athome.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: FCedi Osman (lower back contusion) had 10 points in 17 minutes and GRicky Rubio (knee management) logged 12 minutes, scoring 2 pointsafter not playing in Thursday night’s game. ... The Cavaliers alsoare being careful with F Danny Green, 35, in his ongoing recoveryfrom left knee surgery. Greensigned with theCavalierson Feb. 15 after being bought out by Houston and hadthree points in 11 minutes. Speaking of Green’s role in thepostseason, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before the game the goal is“to make sure he’s ready when we need him most.”

Hawks: GBogdan Bogdanovic passed 5,000 career points while sinkingback-to-back 3s early in the second period. It was part of a stringof four consecutive Atlanta baskets by Bogdanovic, who had 10points. .... Onyeka Okongwu recorded a double-double with 13 pointsand 11 rebounds. ... Collins suffered the head injury in acollision with New York Knicks F Julius Randle on Feb. 15 inAtlanta’s last game before the All-Star break.

UPNEXT

Cavaliers:Host Toronto on Sunday.

Hawks: HostBrooklyn on Sunday.