It's hard to say that this is what the national media expected, but the Hawks will be the first team to punch their ticket to the NBA Cup in the Eastern Conference. Despite being in a group with the Cavaliers and Celtics, the Hawks got three crucial wins ...

The Hawks handed the Cavaliers a loss for the second time in three days and clinched East Group C in the NBA Cup with the Bulls' loss to the Celtics on Friday night.

The Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and last year's in-season tournament runners-up, the Indiana Pacers, were all eliminated from group play after the Hawks improved their record to 3-1 and clinched first place in East Group C.