Later Friday night, the Hawks clinched East Group C in the NBA Cup when Chicago lost to visiting Boston. The Cavaliers (17-3) still boast the NBA's best record but they once again couldn't match the Hawks' scoring depth.

The Atlanta Hawks' 117–101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers had plenty of collateral damage in NBA Cup play. The Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and last year's NBA Cup runners-up,