Hawks vs Cavaliers Game 4 preview: Atlanta faces potential elimination

The Hawks have their backs against the wall while facing elimination in Cleveland on Tuesday evening.

Mike Budenholzer's team suffered a gut-wrenching defeat in Game 3 on Sunday night, and that placed the Hawks in a daunting 3-0 hole as Game 4 approaches on Tuesday evening. Realistically, Atlanta faces a nearly impossible challenge, as no NBA team has ever emerged from a 3-0 deficit to win a 7-game series, and that is the ominous backdrop for what could be the final night of the 2014-2015 season for the club.

Still, Game 3 presented some encouraging signs, even as the team largely operated without Al Horford. The Hawks went into Cleveland made the Cavaliers expend a great deal of energy,…