NBA: HAWKS BREAK CAVALIERS JINX

The Atlanta Hawks snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Cleveland Cavaliers, closing out the season with a 99-83 home win over their Eastern Conference rivals on Wednesday.

Rookie Jeff Teague set career highs with 24 points and 15 assists for the Hawks, as both teams rested players having clinched their Eastern Conference playoff spots.

The Hawks, seeded third for the postseason, outscored the league-leading Cavaliers 29-14 in the third quarter to blow the game apart.

'It was fun just getting the opportunity to go out there and play,' Teague said. 'It was fun for me and the other guys that don't get an opportunity to play as much.

'We went out there and got the win.'
Atlanta (53-29) were swept by Cleveland in the second round of last year's post-season, but will not have to face them until the Eastern Conference finals should the teams progress that far.

The loss was Cleveland's (61-21) fourth in a row to finish the season, all without a resting LeBron James.