Double win over Cleveland.
The Atlanta Hawks faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in a post Thanksgiving game that had major implications in the Eastern Conference Group C standings in the NBA Cup. The Hawks prevailed for a second consecutive game against the Cavs with a 117-101 victory.
The Cavs came into the game leading the league in several offensive categories such as points per game (123.5), field goals (51.7%), and 3-point field goals (40.8%).
The Cavs were very active in the first quarter as they got their hands on several passes for deflections and turnovers. Darius Garland led all scores with 10 points in the first quarter.
The Hawks did a great job of battling through the self-inflicted issues as they lead at the end of the quarter 29-37.
De’Andre Hunter came off the bench to score seven points in the quarter. The Hawks also had 12 bench points as they were 4-for-6 on three pointers. Hunter continued his strong half in the second as he finished with 17 points on the first half.
The first half was an entertaining back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets in an evenly matched contest that saw the Hawks lead 50-52.
The NBA steals leader Dyson Daniel was huge for the Hawks as he held Donovan Mitchell to 12 points on 5-for-23 shooting.
All-Star guard Trae Young orchestrated the offense to near perfection, finishing the game with 21 points and 11 assists. Young’s ability to navigate the defense, find his spots, and involve his teammates was on full display, as he repeatedly exploited mismatches and capitalized on scoring opportunities.
Hunter finished the game with 23 points followed by Jalen Johnson 20 points, seven assists and nine rebounds. The versatile effort highlighted Johnson ability to impact the game in multiple ways, from scoring efficiently to setting up teammates and crashing the boards. Johnson showed poise and control throughout the game, making timely plays on both ends of the floor.
The Hawks’ defensive effort was arguably the most impressive aspect of the game. They held their opponent to just 40% shooting from the field and forced 13 turnovers, many of which led to fast-break opportunities. Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu protected the rim effectively, while perimeter defenders like Hunter and Daniel locked down the Cavs shooters.
Atlanta’s control of the paint was evident, as they outscored the Cavs 52-50 in the key. This dominance extended to the glass, where the Hawks held a 53-40 rebounding edge, limiting second-chance opportunities.
Beyond the arc, the Hawks were efficient, hitting 14 of their 34 three-point attempts. Their ability to blend interior scoring with outside shooting made them difficult to defend throughout the game.
It was another game that the Hawks accumulated 25 or more assists. It’s the 12th consecutive games which is a franchise record. With the win, the Hawks can cliched a spot in the NBA Cup with a Chicago Bulls loss against the Boston Celtics.