Love leaves game; Cavs fall to Hawks

ATLANTA >> John Collins scored 22 points, Danilo Gallinari had 20, including a 3-pointer that helped Atlanta extend its lead in the fourth quarter, and the Hawks beat the Cavaliers, 100-82, on March 14 for their fifth consecutive win under interim coach Nate McMillan.

The Hawks led only 69-66 before opening the final quarter with 12 consecutive points to stretch the advantage to 15 points. Gallinari’s 3-pointer during the run gave Atlanta its first doubledigits lead at 77-66.

Collins set a season high with 13 rebounds. Trae Young scored 14 points.

Collin Sexton had 15 points for the Cavaliers, who have a three-game losing streak. Darius Garland added 11 points.

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, making only his second start after missing 33 games with a right calf strain, played only two minutes and didn’t attempt a shot. The Cavaliers reported Love “didn’t feel right” and didn’t want to risk a setback.

Love played 10 minutes and scored four points in his return, a 116-82 loss at New Orleans on March 12.

Forward Larry Nance Jr., who also returned against New Orleans after missing 12 games with a left hand injury, had four points in 26 minutes.

Atlanta outscored Cleveland 24-10 from the freethrow line. The Hawks made 24 of 26 free throws. The Cavaliers made only 12 of 23, including 5 of 12 by center Jarrett Allen.

The Hawks led 49-46 at halftime and kept that margin into the fourth.

Atlanta rookie center Nathan Knight, playing on a two-way contract, seized an unusual opening for playing time to set career highs with 16 points and eight rebounds. Centers Clint Capela (left heel pain) and Onyeka Okongwu (right adductor soreness) were held out on the second game of a back-to-back.