Cavs routed by Hawks for third loss in a row

The Atlanta Hawks returned from the All-Star break — and a coaching change — refreshed and motivated.

The Cavaliers, playing on the second night of a backto-back, couldn’t match Atlanta’s energy and drive.

Trae Young scored 34 points and the Hawks beat the Cavaliers 136-119 on Feb. 24 in their first game under interim coach Joe Prunty.

Dejounte Murray had 15 of his 25 points in Atlanta’s high-scoring second period.

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

The Hawks played their first game since coach Nate McMillan was fired on Tuesday. The team had three practices, including a shootaround session on Friday morning, under Prunty, who had been McMillan’s lead assistant.

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

The Cavaliers lost to Denver 115-109 on Thursday night.

General manager Landry Fields said Wednesday that former Utah coach Quin Snyder is a candidate to replace McMillan. Snyder could be hired to take over the team this season.

Atlanta held its big lead of 32 points for the last time at 103-71 late in the third quarter before Cleveland pulled to within 13 points

HAWKS 136, CAVALIERS 119

at 108-95 in the final period. Atlanta then reclaimed its momentum.

Road woes

The Cavaliers, fourth in the Eastern Conference at 38-25, have good motivation to earn home-court advantage in the postseason. They fell to only 1318 in road games to offset their 25-7 mark at home . ... F Cedi Osman (lower back contusion) had 10 points in 17 minutes and G Ricky Rubio (knee management) logged 12 minutes, scoring 2 points after not playing in Thursday night’s game. ... The Cavaliers also are being careful with F Danny Green, 35, in his ongoing recovery from left knee surgery. Green signed with the Cavaliers on Feb. 15 after being bought out by Houston and had three points in 11 minutes. Speaking of Green’s role in the postseason, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before the game the goal is “to make sure he’s ready when we need him most.”

Box score

Hawks 136, Cavaliers 119