Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland-cavaliers Picks and Predictions November 29th 2024

Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland-Cavaliers November 28th 2024

At 2:30 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-284) will take on the Atlanta Hawks (+231) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Cavaliers are currently 17-2 and are favored by 7 points. The over/under line is set at 247.5.

This game will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Cavaliers are currently 1st in the Eastern Conference, while the Hawks are 9th. The Hawks are 8-11 on the season and are 3rd in the Southeast Division.

Cavaliers vs. Hawks Key Information

The Cavaliers fell to 17-2 on the season after a 135-124 loss to the Hawks on Wednesday. Cleveland, favored by 9 points at home, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 259.5 exceeded the O/U line of 242.5 by 16.5 points.

Cleveland started strong with an 11-0 run, but after leading 64-61 at halftime, they were outscored 37-31 in the 3rd quarter and 37-29 in the 4th.

In their 135-124 loss to the Hawks, the Cavaliers shot 46.3% from the field and struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 31.2% of their threes, though they made 15 in total. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 30 points, 7 assists, and 4 made threes, despite shooting 28.6% from deep.

Evan Mobley added 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Darius Garland contributed 19 points and 7 assists. Mitchell scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Garland added 6 in the final period.

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Defensively, the Cavaliers struggled on Wednesday, giving up 135 points to the Hawks. Cleveland allowed 35 points in the 1st quarter and 37 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. The Cavaliers did manage to hold Atlanta to 26 points in the 2nd quarter.

The Hawks shot 47% from the field, including 47% from three-point range, where they hit 20 threes. Atlanta also went 23/25 from the free-throw line. The Cavaliers gave up 14 offensive rebounds but recorded 11 steals and 5 blocks.

The Hawks improved to 8-11 this season with a 135-124 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Atlanta was +9 point underdogs heading into the game and covered the spread with the win. The total score of 259 points went over the pre-game line of 242.5.

Cleveland started strong with an 11-0 run, but Atlanta battled back. After a 29-26 2nd quarter in favor of the Cavs, the Hawks took control by outscoring Cleveland 37-31 in the 3rd and 37-29 in the 4th.

De’Andre Hunter knocked down 5 threes at a 55.6% clip, leading the Hawks with 26 points in their win over the Cavaliers. Jalen Johnson contributed 22 points, while Trae Young added 20 points and dished out 22 assists, despite shooting just 33.3% from the field.

Atlanta hit 20 threes, shooting 47.6% from beyond the arc. Zaccharie Risacher scored 13 of his 17 points in the 3rd quarter, and Hunter added 9 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.

Despite giving up 124 points, the Hawks managed to secure a win against the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Atlanta allowed 35 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up a bit in the 2nd and 4th, giving up 29 points in each. Cleveland shot 46% from the field.

The Hawks did a good job defending the three, holding the Cavaliers to 31% shooting from deep with 15 made threes. Atlanta also recorded 37 defensive rebounds, gave up 12 offensive boards, and added 6 steals and 6 blocks.

The Hawks come in as the underdog at +7, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 247.5, and our model predicts the Cavaliers and Hawks to score a combined 266 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Hawks Seek Consecutive Wins Over Cavaliers in NBA Cup Showdown

The Atlanta Hawks look to build on their recent success when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in a pivotal NBA Cup East Group C matchup. Both teams are jockeying for position in the group standings, with Atlanta sitting at 2-1 and Cleveland at 1-1 in pool play.

Hawks Building Momentum

The Hawks (10-9) have delivered some of the most impressive performances of the season, including a stunning win over the Boston Celtics without Trae Young and a thrilling comeback victory over the Cavaliers on Tuesday. Atlanta erased a 19-point deficit in Cleveland to hand the Cavs their first home loss of the season, 135-124.

Trae Young’s Command Performance

Young, who leads the NBA in assists (12.5 per game), was the catalyst in Tuesday’s win with a season-high 22 assists, just one shy of the franchise record. He also contributed 20 points, showcasing his ability to control the game and elevate his teammates.

“My teammates made shots, and I got them the ball in the spots that they like,” Young said. “That’s how you get assists. It’s teamwork.”

Young’s leadership has been key, and head coach Quin Snyder praised his poise and trust in his teammates.

“The way we responded to being down, and Trae in particular, was significant,” Snyder said. “He gave guys opportunities to make plays in the open court, and he trusted his teammates.”

Supporting Cast Shines

De’Andre Hunter scored 26 points and Jalen Johnson added 22 in the victory. Johnson (20.1 points per game) and Hunter (17.6 points per game) have provided crucial scoring alongside Young’s 21.8 points per game.

Cavaliers Seek Redemption

The Cavaliers (17-3) are off to a strong start under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson but stumbled on Wednesday in what Atkinson called the team’s first true “stinker” of the season. Cleveland allowed Atlanta to go on a 24-5 run to close the first quarter, erasing a commanding early lead.

“We hadn’t had a stinker yet this year,” Atkinson said. “That was a stinker. … Our communication has got to be better, our physicality has to be better.”

Mitchell Leading the Charge

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points in Wednesday’s loss, continuing to lead Cleveland with 24.7 points per game. Darius Garland, averaging 20.2 points per game, complements Mitchell in the backcourt, but the duo will need more support from their teammates to bounce back.

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Shooting Struggles

Cleveland’s offense sputtered from beyond the arc on Tuesday, shooting just 31.3% (15-for-48) from three-point range. Meanwhile, Atlanta connected on 47.6% (20-for-42) of its attempts from deep, a key factor in the Hawks’ victory. Atkinson emphasized the need for defensive resilience when shots aren’t falling.
“Do you really stick your nose in there and get stops when you’re not making shots?” Atkinson asked. “That was probably the most disappointing thing about tonight.”

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Trae Young vs. Cavaliers Defense: Young’s ability to orchestrate Atlanta’s offense will challenge Cleveland’s defensive schemes, especially in limiting his playmaking opportunities.
2. Donovan Mitchell vs. Hawks Perimeter Defenders: Mitchell will look to bounce back and spark Cleveland’s offense, testing Atlanta’s ability to guard the perimeter.
3. Rebounding Battle: Both teams will need to control the boards to limit second-chance opportunities, a critical factor in Wednesday’s game.
4. Three-Point Efficiency: Cleveland must improve its shooting from deep to keep pace with Atlanta’s high-percentage perimeter attack.

NBA Cup Implications

With identical 2-1 records in Group C, Atlanta and Cleveland are vying for a spot in the NBA Cup knockout round. A win for Atlanta would give them a strong claim for the group title, especially if Chicago stumbles in its matchup against Boston. Meanwhile, Cleveland needs a victory to stay in contention and avoid falling further behind in the standings.

The Bigger Picture

The Hawks are looking to solidify their position as a team capable of competing with the NBA’s elite, while the Cavaliers aim to rebound from a rare off night and maintain their strong start to the season. With both teams hungry for a statement win, Friday’s game promises to be a high-intensity battle with major implications for the NBA Cup and beyond.

Can Atlanta replicate its recent success and continue its climb, or will Cleveland bounce back with a strong response? Fans can expect a thrilling contest between two Eastern Conference contenders.