Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks match preview

NBA BASKETBALL: 12BET odds Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks 3/19 3AM GMT+8



The Cleveland Cavaliers know all too well how formidable Atlanta can be.The Hawks hope their new-look starting five can remain effective as they try for a sixth consecutive win over the Cavaliers on Sunday.Johnson was the starting shooting guard but has been switched to small forward for the past four games in place of Marvin Williams, who will miss a third straight game Sunday due to a hip flexor injury. Atlanta (25-19) has moved Kirk Hinrich into the starting backcourt alongside Jeff Teague.The Hawks improved to 6-3 with Hinrich in the starting five Friday, beating Washington 102-88 behind a season best-tying 34 points from Johnson. Hinrich scored just five points but dished out five assists.



Atlanta's run in this series includes two double-digit road victories last season and a 121-94 home win Jan. 21 in the only meeting this season as Johnson scored 25.The Cavaliers will have a bit of a different look when they take the court Sunday. Cleveland traded backup point guard Ramon Sessions and relatively unknown Christian Eyenga to the Los Angeles Lakers for Luke Walton, Jason Kapono and a lottery-protected first-round pick in the 2012 draft as well as other considerations.While Kapono was waived Saturday, Walton, who has appeared in just nine games this season, is looking forward to getting a fresh start.