Atlanta Hawks win preseason opener against Cleveland Cavaliers

Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) squares up against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Cincinnati. The Hawks won 98-96. - photo by John Minchillo

1008Hawks — Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) squares up against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Cincinnati. The Hawks won 98-96. - photo by John Minchillo

CINCINNATI — Jeff Teague scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half and the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-96 in the preseason opener for both teams. J.R. Smith had 15 points and James Jones added 13 for the Cavaliers, who swept Atlanta in the Eastern Conference finals last season. LeBron James had eight points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes for Cleveland.

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