<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Looking back at the box score, it's almost eerie. Not only did All-Stars LeBron James and Joe Johnson hook up in a duel Dec. 1 in Atlanta, their stats were almost identical. The only difference was the Cavaliers prevailed in the game, 106-95. It proved to be their last win on the road, as they've lost four in a row heading into tonight's game at 7 at Philips Arena. Both James and Johnson had 31 points, shot 12 of 23 from the field, made one 3-point goal and connected on six free throws. Where's Rod Serling when you need him? Maybe it's not exactly fodder for a "Twilight Zone" episode, but the Team USA members could clash again tonight, especially with Hawks forward Josh Smith undergoing hernia surgery Tuesday and expected to miss two to four weeks. "We never go into the game expecting that," James said. "We are two good players and we do try to lead our team to victory. If that does happen, so be it." The Cavaliers (15-11) have won five consecutive games at Philips Arena. But the games are generally close until the Cavaliers prevail with a strong fourth quarter. "They match up with us very well," James said. "We'll go into that building, and I'm sure they don't want that to happen again. We have to have intensity and try to do what we did the last time we were in there." James is averaging 31 points and shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from the 3-point line (5 of 12) in his last four games. If he's forced to guard Johnson, it should be a matchup of elite players. "(Johnson is) one of the best players in the league," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "This is his third year under (Coach Mike) Woodson. He's gaining confidence. He's showing what he's capable of doing." The Hawks (9-17), who have lost four in a row, limp into tonight's game missing several key performers. Besides Smith, forward Josh Childress (sore left foot), guard Speedy Claxton (back spasms), guard Tyronn Lue (groin) and center Zaza Pachulia (left elbow) are banged up. Childress and Lue practiced Tuesday. They are all game-time decisions. "We can't let Joe Johnson and Tyronn Lue have career nights against us," Brown said. "We have to contain them. If we play solid defensively for 48 minutes, it will give us a chance to win." Brown insists the Cavaliers' recent three-game losing streak was more about their defense than their offense. Overall, their defense ranks high in most categories. "Overall, our defensive numbers have been great," Brown said. "But in the three (losses), if you have breakdowns defensively, I don't care what you do on offense. It's going to be hard to win."</div> Source
