Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Cavaliers vs Hawks November 27th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-733) will host the Atlanta Hawks (+514) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Cavaliers are currently favored by 12 points, and the over/under line is set at 240.5.

Cleveland comes into this game with a record of 17-1 and has won two straight. On the other side, Atlanta is 7-11 and has lost three in a row. Tip-off is set for 7:00 ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. You can watch the game on FDSO.

Hawks vs. Cavaliers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
• Where: Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds CLE -12, ATL +514 | CLE -733 O/U 240.5

The Hawks Can Win If…

The Hawks fell to 7-11 on the season after a 129-119 home loss to the Mavericks on Monday. Atlanta, favored by 2.5 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total score of 248 points exceeded the O/U line of 236.5 by 11.5 points.

Atlanta led 67-61 at halftime but struggled in the second half. The Mavericks went on a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 31-20 to 41-20, and outscored the Hawks 68-52 in the second half, including a dominant 33-24 fourth quarter.

Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 28 points and 11 rebounds in their 129-119 loss to the Mavericks, shooting 60% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 33.3%. Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic both added 18 points, with Young dishing out 16 assists and connecting on 2 threes at 50%.

As a team, the Hawks struggled from beyond the arc, making just 9 threes at a 29% clip, while shooting 47.5% overall. Johnson scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter, while Young added 7 in the period and 5 more in the 4th.

Defensively, the Hawks struggled against the Mavericks, giving up 129 points on 50% shooting. Atlanta allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter, 33 in the 2nd, 35 in the 3rd, and another 33 in the 4th.

The Mavericks hit 16 threes at a 45% clip. Dallas also went 19/22 from the free-throw line. The Hawks finished with 30 defensive rebounds, allowing 10 offensive boards, while adding 10 steals and 6 blocks.

• In their last five games away from home, the Hawks have a straight up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 111 points per game in this stretch.
• Atlanta has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five games.
• Over their last five games, the Hawks have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

The Cavaliers improved to 17-1 on the season with a 122-108 win over the Raptors on Sunday. Cleveland, playing at home, entered the game as -11.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 230, just under the 233.5 O/U line.

Cleveland jumped out to a 38-22 lead after the 1st quarter, but Toronto battled back, outscoring the Cavs in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Heading into the 4th with a 96-90 lead, the Cavs clamped down defensively, holding the Raptors to 18 points in the final period while scoring 26 of their own.

Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome each scored 26 points in the Cavaliers’ win over the Raptors, with Mitchell hitting 5 threes at 55.6% and Jerome adding 4 threes at 50%. Jarrett Allen contributed 23 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 71.4% from the field.

Cleveland made 16 threes, shooting 39% from deep and 49.5% overall. Allen scored 12 points in the 1st quarter, while Mitchell added 11 in the 4th.

Defensively, the Cavaliers were strong in the 1st and 4th quarters, allowing just 22 and 18 points, respectively, in their 122-108 win over the Raptors. However, they struggled in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up 33 and 35 points. Overall, Cleveland held Toronto to 40% shooting from the field.

The Cavaliers did well defending the three, as the Raptors made only 12 threes on 30% shooting. Cleveland also recorded 11 steals and 4 blocks. They sent Toronto to the line 34 times, where the Raptors converted 22 free throws.

• Across their ten previous home games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 8-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 8-2 while averaging 119 points per game.
• As the betting favorite, the Cavaliers have an ATS record of 4-1 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 5-0.
• In their last five games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

As the underdogs with a spread of +12, we recommend going with the Hawks on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 240.5 and our model has the Hawks and Cavaliers finishing with a combined 254 points. Our pick is to take the over.

NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Experts

Perfect at Home: Cavaliers Invite Hawks into a “Pick-Your-Poison” Test

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue their stellar season as they welcome the Atlanta Hawks to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Wednesday for the first game of a home-and-home series. Cleveland’s undefeated home record and the Hawks’ recent struggles set the stage for a compelling contest.

Cavaliers: Dominating at Home

The Cavaliers are riding high with a remarkable 17-1 overall record, including a flawless 10-0 mark at home. Following their lone loss this season, they have rebounded emphatically with decisive victories over the New Orleans Pelicans and Toronto Raptors. A 122-108 win over Toronto on Sunday underscored their dominance.

Center Jarrett Allen, who has been instrumental in the Cavaliers’ success, reflected on their performance:
“I’m surprised by the (record), but I’m not surprised by the play style. I’ve expected us to come out and play like we do, play at a high level. Still, 17-1 is incredible,” Allen told The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Key Performances

• Ty Jerome: Jerome is in exceptional form, scoring 29 and 26 points in his last two games, shooting a red-hot 19-for-33 from the field and 11-for-20 from beyond the arc. He credits his recent surge to playing an aggressive and instinctive game.
  “If I have space, I’m going to shoot it. The more aggressive guys we have on the court, the better we play as a team,” said Jerome.
• Donovan Mitchell: The team’s leading scorer, Mitchell averages 24.4 points per game. His 26-point performance against the Raptors, coupled with his ability to create space for teammates, showcases his impact on both scoring and playmaking.
• Jarrett Allen: With 23 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday, Allen recorded his sixth consecutive double-double. His dominance in the paint continues to set the tone for Cleveland.

Team Philosophy

Cleveland’s offensive depth has been their key weapon. Players like Mitchell, Allen, Jerome, and Evan Mobley contribute consistently, creating a dynamic where defenses are forced to pick their poison. Coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized this depth, saying Jerome is “in a state of grace right now. It’s beautiful to watch.”

Hawks: Searching for Answers

While Cleveland thrives, Atlanta is struggling to regain momentum after suffering their third straight loss in a 129-119 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. The Hawks’ inability to handle Dallas’ defensive schemes exposed some underlying challenges.

Key Performances

• Trae Young: Young continues to pile up assists, recording double-digit assist totals in four consecutive games. However, his struggles against Dallas’ zone defense were evident, and he admitted his frustration post-game:
  “I hate that they played a lot of a high-school defense—zone—and it worked. That should never work,” Young told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
• Jalen Johnson: Johnson shined in the loss to Dallas with 28 points and 11 rebounds, proving to be a key contributor amid the Hawks’ slump.
• Bogdan Bogdanovic: After a rough shooting stretch, Bogdanovic has found his rhythm, scoring a season-high 18 points against Dallas and making 14 of 26 shots in his last two games.

Tactical Adjustments Needed

Atlanta’s inability to counter zone defenses has been a recurring issue. Young’s frustration highlights the need for better ball movement and perimeter shooting. Coach Quin Snyder will have to make adjustments to exploit Cleveland’s defensive setups and put pressure on their backcourt.

The Matchup: Contrasting Fortunes

Cleveland enters this matchup with the wind at their back. Their balanced offense, led by Mitchell, Allen, and Jerome, presents significant challenges for Atlanta’s defense. Meanwhile, the Hawks must find a way to turn their fortunes around and counter Cleveland’s relentless pace and aggression.

Key Battles to Watch

• Donovan Mitchell vs. Trae Young: Two of the league’s premier guards will face off in what promises to be a thrilling duel. Mitchell’s scoring and leadership will be pivotal, while Young’s playmaking and creativity could dictate Atlanta’s offensive flow.
• Jarrett Allen vs. Hawks’ Frontcourt: Allen’s dominance in the paint will be a key factor. Atlanta will need Clint Capela and Johnson to step up defensively to limit Cleveland’s interior scoring.
• Ty Jerome’s Hot Hand: Jerome’s recent performances make him a wild card. If Atlanta fails to contain him, Cleveland’s offense could become even more unmanageable.

What’s at Stake?

• For Cleveland: A win would further solidify their position at the top of the standings and extend their home dominance. It’s also a chance to build momentum before Friday’s rematch in Atlanta.
• For Atlanta: Breaking their losing streak is crucial to staying competitive in the playoff race. Success against Cleveland would boost morale and signal their ability to adapt and compete against top-tier teams.

Prediction

With Cleveland firing on all cylinders and Atlanta struggling to find consistency, the Cavaliers have the upper hand. Their depth, home-court advantage, and current form make them strong favorites. However, if the Hawks can adapt defensively and get strong performances from their stars, they could make this a closer contest than expected.

Conclusion

The Cavaliers are proving to be one of the NBA’s most dominant teams this season, while the Hawks are searching for answers to climb back into contention. This clash of styles and momentum offers intrigue, with Cleveland’s depth and Atlanta’s need for redemption setting up an exciting battle.