It's one step forward, two steps back for the Cavaliers so far this season.
The three-time defending Eastern Conference champ was fresh off a road win against the Wizards, snapping a four-game losing streak in the process, before losing 117-115 Sunday against the Hawks.
The Hawks (2-8) remained at the bottom of the Eastern Conference even after the win, and Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue thought that was part of his team's problem.
"Every night we have to respect out opponent," Lue said after the game. "(We need to have) a sense of urgency. Not just in the fourth quarter, but from start to finish. When guys are out, or we're playing teams that don't have a good record, we have to understand they are still going to play hard, they are still going to compete, and if we don't match their energy we're going to get beat."
READ: Pistons starting to look like Eastern Conference contenders
LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 26 points and 13 rebounds. From the bench, Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, and Kyle Korver added 23 points. But Cleveland trailed by 13 points entering the fourth quarter, and it didn't have enough left in the tank to complete the comeback.
While Wade and Korver produced Sunday, they remain part of the Cavaliers' problem. Its current roster is built of aging stars and oft-injured players that currently lack cohesion. Cleveland looks stiff out on the court, no one really comfortable off the ball.
Teams like the Celtics, Pistons and Wizards are hungry for post-season success, and this might be the year to take down James and Cavs.
STUDS OF THE NIGHT
James Harden led the Rockets to a 137-110 win over the Jazz by scoring a career-high 56 points with 13 assists. Harden made 19 of 25 shots to finish just one point shy of Calvin Murphy's franchise record for points in a single game.
Heat center Hassan Whiteside scored 21 points with 17 rebounds in a 104-101 win over the Clippers. Whiteside added three steals and two blocks to help Miami hang on to a narrow victory after leading by 23 points entering the fourth quarter.
Wizards guard Bradley Beal scored 38 points on 16-of-26 shooting with five rebounds and four assists in a 107-96 win over the Raptors. Beal has now scored at least 36 points in three straight games.
DUD OF THE NIGHT
Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier scored just six points on 2-of-14 shooting in a 104-88 loss to the Celtics, which has now won eight straight games. Fournier started the season on a torrid pace, but he has cooled off significantly.
HIGHLIGHT:
Kristaps Porzingis with the one-handed alley-oop:
Porzingis finished the 108-101 win over the Pacers with 40 points, eight rebounds and six blocks.
WHAT'S NEXT:
Heat (4-5) at Warriors (7-3) — Winners in six of their last seven games, Golden State hosts the Heat with a chance to tie the Rockets for best team in the Western Conference. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are leading the way once again, but the Warriors has 13 players averaging at least four points per game.
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