In a fairly pleasant start to the game, it was Cleveland who took the lead slightly thanks in particular to Evan Mobley, very prominent on both sides of the field (12-7). On a 3-point shot from Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers take a 10-point lead (17-7). This is when the Hawks will wake up. Trae Young’s teammates run 13-2 to take the lead (20-19). The two teams leave back to back at the end of the 1st quarter (24-24).
Atlanta began the second quarter with much more intensity on both sides of the floor, which allowed Quin Snyder’s men to take a 9-point lead (41-32). Cleveland thwarts, and is no longer as effective as at the start of the game. On a 3-point basket concluded with the fault, Dejounte Murray even offers 15 points ahead of his team (51-36). But, Cleveland will have a burst of pride at the end of the quarter, and reduce the gap. At the break, the Hawks only lead by 8 points (59-51).
Returning from the locker room, Donovan Mitchell returns more determined than ever, and brings Cleveland back to contact with Atlanta (63-61) on his own. Caris LeVert allows the Cavaliers to regain the advantage (73-71). The Hawks quickly rectified the situation, and regained a 7-point lead (84-77). Atlanta leads 94-84 going into the final quarter.
On a violent dunk, Donovan Mitchell brings Cleveland to 6 points (105-99). The Hawks begin to doubt, and the Cavaliers take the opportunity to reduce the gap to just 2 points thanks to Ricky Rubio (105-103). On a 3-point shot, Donovan Mitchell gives the advantage to his team (106-105). With 3 minutes remaining, Atlanta leads 112-111. As we enter the last minute, Dejounte Murray gives the Hawks a 4-point lead (119-115). At the last second, Donovan Mitchell misses the buzzer, and Atlanta wins 120-118.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The good move of the Hawks. Thanks to this victory at the finish over the Cavaliers, the Hawks find a balance sheet with 38 wins for 38 losses, which allows them to retain 8th place in the East, despite the success of the Raptors. Trae Young’s teammates are only two victories behind Brooklyn, 6th, who holds the last directly qualifying place for the playoffs.
– An extraordinary Donovan Mitchell. It was sensational! For his reunion with Quin Snyder, Donovan Mitchell did not do things by halves: 44 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists. This is the stat line that “Spida” put on the Hawks floor. Opposing defenders couldn’t do anything to stop him. Late in the game, his ankle spun, but that didn’t stop him from finishing the game by scoring ultra clutch baskets in the final minutes. Until this missed buzzer…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Dejounte Murray. He’s the Hawks’ best player, and he particularly stood out late in the game with crucial baskets. He finished with 29 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds at 50% shooting including 43% from 3-pointers.
✅ Onyeka Okongwu. Off the bench, he had a very clean game with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks at 5/5 shooting in just 20 minutes.
✅ Evan Mobley. In Jarrett Allen’s absence, he did the work for two. He finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks at 10/13 shooting!
✅ ⛔️ Trae Young. If he made a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists, his marksmanship is terrible: 4/15.
⛔️ The Cavaliers bench. There were only three backups available at the Cavaliers, and they combined for just 14 points…
THE FOLLOWING
Hawks (38-38): trip to the Nets overnight from Friday to Saturday (1:30).
Riders (48-29): reception of the Knicks on the night of Friday to Saturday (1:30).
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