The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers linked up in a true win-or-go-home matchup on Friday night and the tension was absolutely palpable. The Cleveland Cavaliers had an incredible breakout season, doubling their 22 wins (in a 72-game season) from the season prior to 44 wins in a normal length season. However, the Cavs had to rebound after a loss to the Brooklyn Nets that was worse than the 6-point margin indicated in the Eastern Conference 7 versus 8 seed portion of the Play-In Tournament.
The Hawks, on the other hand, easily dispatched the Charlotte Hornets in the 9 versus 10 seed matchup and had to deal with a hostile crowd for the first time in the Play-In Tournament.