It appears as though Hawks coach Mike Woodson will enter next season in the final year of his contract.

Woodson met with Atlanta general manager Rick Sund this week.

"There's always pressure, if you want to call it that," Woodson said. "I don't look at it as pressure because I'm not made like that. All these people talking about fire Woodson and all that stuff, it's never entered my mind. I swear.

"The chatter is what it is. But we're not going to do anything but keep pushing ahead trying to take another step next year."

The Atlanta Hawks haven't had much contact with Josh Childress, who can opt out of his deal and return to the NBA.  If he does return, the Hawks would have to tender Childress his qualifying offer or he would become an unrestricted free agent.

"We?ve had scouts go over and watch him," said GM Rick Sund. "[Assistant GM] Dave Pendergraph has texted him. And I?ve talked to his agents ? they represent other players."

Acie Law hasn't been the impact player many expected him to be in Atlanta because of injuries and a lack of playing time.

Sekou Smith of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently wrote that Law could ask out in order to receive more playing time elsewhere.

Law is signed through the 2010-11 season, and will earn $2.7 million next season.

The Hawks have just $40.8 million committed for next season, but have free agents in Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia.

Atlanta has made tremendous strides in the last two years, with consecutive playoff appearances, but a number of decisions will have to be made.

There have been rumors that the Hawks could dangle Williams in a sign-and-trade.

"I love the guys. I love the coaching staff. I love the city," said Bibby, who made $14.9 million this season. "So we'll see what happens."

With the Hawks having been eliminated by the Cavaliers earlier this week, Joe Johnson has no interest in the NBA playoffs any more.

"I've had my playoff fun," Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We had a great run. I enjoyed it. The first round going seven game and then facing Cleveland in the second round ... I've had enough playoff basketball. I'll watch it occasionally, if I happen to stumble up on a game. But I won't be looking forward to anything."

Hawks guard Speedy Claxton was a no-show at the team's mandatory meeting on Tuesday morning.

Claxton, who has suffered through three straight injury-plagued seasons, is entering the final contract of his contract.

"I haven't spoken with Speedy," coach Mike Woodson said, "So I can't tell you anything more about his situation."

One series ended, while another was extended on Monday night. The Cavaliers became the first team since 2005 to reach the Eastern Conference Finals with a perfect 8-0 mark in the postseason.

- Cleveland 84, Atlanta 74

Team FIC Differential: Cavaliers +27.5, Hawks -27.5

The Cavaliers (4-0) clamped down defensively to punch their ticket to the Conference Finals with a win over the Hawks (0-4) on Monday night. LeBron James starred with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, Zydrunas Ilgauskas posted 14 points and 10 boards, and Maurice Williams added 21 points and 6 dimes in the victory. Cleveland shot 42% from the field, while holding Atlanta to just 31% in their own building. The Cavaliers also won the rebounding battle by 15, and went 10-for-18 from three-point land. The Hawks forced 15 turnovers, while taking care of the ball well themselves, and shot 26-for-30 from the free throw line. Josh Smith led with 26 points and 8 rebounds, Ronald Murray tallied 14 points off the bench, and Joe Johnson contributed 18 points, 7 assists and 6 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

LeBron James, Cleveland ? 17.6

Joe Johnson, Atlanta ? 14.9

Josh Smith, Atlanta ? 14.5

Delonte West, Cleveland ? 14.0

- Dallas 119, Denver 117

Team FIC Differential: Mavericks +11.1, Nuggets -11.1

The Mavericks (1-3) enjoyed 19 points from Dirk Nowitzki in the fourth quarter as they extended their season against the Nuggets (3-1) at the American Airlines Center. Nowitzki starred with 44 points and 13 rebounds, Josh Howard tallied 21 points and 11 boards, and Jason Kidd stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in the vital Game 4 win. Dallas shot 50% from the field, and outscored Denver 34-27 in the final period. The Mavericks outrebounded the Nuggets by 16, while the two clubs combined to attempt 87 foul shots on Monday night. Carmelo Anthony led with 41 points and 11 rebounds, Chauncey Billups posted 24 points and 7 assists, and J.R. Smith scored 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas ? 30.4

Carmelo Anthony, Denver ? 27.6

Jason Kidd, Dallas ? 19.0

Chauncey Billups, Denver ? 18.2

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.?
Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Mike Bibby took the blame for Atlanta's season-ending loss to the Cavaliers on Monday night, and said that he hopes he hasn't played his final game with the Hawks.

"If I do anything more than what I did tonight, we win this game," Bibby said after the 84-74 loss in Game 4. "I didn't shoot the ball well. I do anything and there is a good chance we come out on top."

Bibby had just 3 points and one assist on Monday night.

He will be a free agent this summer, having earned $15 million in the final year of a three-year pact he originally signed with the Kings.

"It's not my decision to make," Bibby said. "I told them before, I love it here. ... I definitely want to come back. I love the coaching staff, love the team, love the city."

The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 84-74 on Monday night to complete a second-round sweep and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

LeBron James led with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in 43 minutes of action. Atlanta led 22-15 after the first quarter, but Cleveland won the scoring battles in the game's remaining periods.

The Hawks managed to shoot just 31% at home, and the Cavaliers won the rebounding battle by 15.

Josh Smith starred for Atlanta in the season-ending loss, contributing 26 points and 8 rebounds.

Saturday's NBA action was highlighted by a missed call in Dallas and LeBron James' domination in Atlanta.

- Denver 106, Dallas 105

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +0.2, Mavericks -0.2

The Nuggets (3-0) won a controversial game against the Mavericks (0-3) on Saturday afternoon as Carmelo Anthony was allowed to get off the game-winning three-pointer despite obvious attempts by Dallas to intentionally foul him. Chauncey Billups led with 32 points, J.R. Smith posted 10 points and 6 rebounds, and Anthony added 31 points and 8 boards. Dallas won the rebounding battle by five, while attempting nine more foul shots than Denver. Neither team turned the ball over much (seventeen combined miscues), and the game was close throughout. Dirk Nowitzki starred with 33 points and 16 rebounds, Josh Howard tallied 14 points and 7 boards, Jason Kidd contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas ? 27.6

Chauncey Billups, Denver ? 18.8

Carmelo Anthony, Denver ? 15.0

Jason Kidd, Dallas ? 13.5

- Cleveland 97, Atlanta 82

Team FIC Differential: Cavaliers +24.0, Hawks -24.0

The Cavaliers (3-0) dominated the second half against the Hawks (0-3) at Philips Arena to move within one win of the Eastern Conference Finals. LeBron James excelled with 47 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, Zydrunas Ilgauskas tallied 14 points and 8 boards, and Joe Smith turned in 7 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. Cleveland drilled 50% of their shots, while holding the home team to 44% shooting. The Cavaliers won the rebounding battle by 23 and attempted 18 more foul shots than the Hawks. Joe Johnson had 21 points and 5 rebounds, Josh Smith 18 points and 5 boards, and Ronald Murray scored 17 points off the 6-for-13 shooting off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

LeBron James, Cleveland ? 39.8

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland ? 11.3

Joe Johnson, Atlanta ? 11.1

Flip Murray, Atlanta ? 10.8

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.?
Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season