Sportingly tied before the match (10 wins and 6 losses), the Riders and the Hawks competed last night for a place in the Top 3 of the Eastern Conference.
Place where the teammates of Donovan Mitchell (29 points, 9 assists, 3 steals) and Darius Garland (26 points, 9 assists, but 8 ball losses), victorious over Trae Young (25 points, 10 assists, but 6 ball losses) and others, quite logically (114-102).
A success, the third in rank, which will incidentally have the merit of consoling the players of Clevelandeliminated by their counterparts fromAtlanta during the last play-in, at the gates of the playoffs. And which was acquired without the men of JB Bickerstaff really shaking in this part.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Cleveland’s backcourt stronger than Atlanta’s. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland on one side, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray on the other: we can say that fans of spectacular backs were pretty well served last night. The Mitchell/Garland duo (55 points and 18 assists in total) also emerged victorious from their duel with the pair Young/Murray (36 points and 16 assists in total). Untenable from far and near, constantly attacking the opposing defense, the Cavs players were just too solid, accomplices and sharp for a lonely Young Hawks side, because abandoned by Murray.
— Cleveland attack fueled. Carried by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, therefore, the men of JB Bickerstaff seduced on the offensive level. Quickly on pace in shooting and dominating near the circle, they finished this meeting with superb percentages of success: 60% (!) in shooting, 53% at 3-pts and 87% in free throws. Proof of this evening when everything was going for the best for the Cavs, on this side of the floor. Everything, or almost, because we must not forget that their 20 ball losses have long prevented them from taking off for good, on the scoreboard.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Onyeka Okongwu. More than John Collins (16 points) or AJ Griffin (17 points), also interesting on certain sequences, the pivot of the Hawks signed remarkable entries from the bench. Author of a beautiful double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes), he was able to bring more than Clint Capela (4 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes), the one ahead of him in the rotation of Nate McMillan. Mobile, athletic, opportunistic and energetic, the 21-year-old influences each side of the floor and he gets along very well with Trae Young in the game, his favorite ball provider.
✅ Cedi Osman. Coming off the bench, the Turk has established himself as the Cavaliers’ third key man in attack, after Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, of course. Author of 23 points in 28 minutes, 8/10 to shoot (including 3/4 at 3-pts), he confirmed his good outing the day before (20 points and 12 rebounds), never hesitating to draw from afar or rush into the paint, as soon as the Hawks defenders give him some semblance of space. A nice boost, without Caris LeVert and with Kevin Love diminished by his hand injury.
⛔ Dejounte Murray. As mentioned above, the former Spurs leader completely missed his match last night: 11 points and 6 assists in 37 minutes, but at 4/18 on shots (including 1/4 at 3-pts) and with 4 bullet losses. Awaited firmly in this duel of backcourts All-Star, but well embarrassed by the opposing defenders, he thus tore himself in beauty, without ever finding his rhythm of the evening or even succeeding in what he undertook. Impossible, under such conditions, to leave with anything other than a defeat and regrets, not to say frustration…
THE FOLLOWING
Cleveland (11-6) : reception of Portland, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (01:00).
Atlanta (10-7) : Sacramento reception, Wednesday night to Thursday (1:30 a.m.).
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