Cleveland Rolls Past the Hawks In Atlanta, Ending the Hawks Three-Game Winning Streak

This was always going to be a tough spot for the Hawks against the Cavs on the second night of a back-to-back and it showed immediately tonight.

Atlanta did not look like they were going to have the energy for tonight's game against the Cavs, even with Trae Young returning to the lineup. Young missed last night's victory over the Miami Heat, but he was able to play after being listed as questionable coming into the day.

Cleveland had their own injuries to deal with as well. Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Caris LeVert were big injuries for a Cleveland team that had won six in a row coming into tonight's game.

The offense for the Hawks was abysmal tonight and this was a game in which Atlanta clearly missed De'Andre Hunter. Saddiq Bey had his worst game of the season, showing how much the Hawks miss Hunter's defense and versatility.

Let's recap the game.

Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Clint Capela were the first five on the floor for the Hawks. Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Jarrett Allen were the first five for Cleveland.

The Cavs jumped on the Hawks immediately in this game, going up 8-0 when head coach Quin Snyder used his first timeout.

To, Atlanta's credit, they bounced back in the first quarter and did not let the Cavs completely run away with it. After the Cavs went up 20-10, Atlanta closed the quarter on a 10-5 run and only trailed the Cavs by 5 (25-20) going into the second quarter.

The early shooting numbers were rough for both teams. They shot a combined 4-19 from three in the first quarter.

Then things started to avalanche for the Hawks.

With so many guys out for them, Cleveland was going to have to rely on a group effort around Mitchell tonight and that is what they got. It was a balanced night of scoring for the Cavs, especially in the second quarter with four players scoring at least five points. Cleveland dominated the second quarter 34-25 and took a 14-point lead into the half.

It was a dreadful half on offense for the Hawks. They shot 39.6% from the field and 23.5% in the first half. Cleveland shot 47.7% from the field and 30.4% from three. The Cavs dominated the bench points, scoring 26 to the Hawks 10.

The second half was somehow worse than the first.

Atlanta never really made a run in the game and what was worse, Young had to go to the locker room early in the fourth after taking a charge.

ICYMI -- Trae Young went to the locker room earlier in the 4th quarter after this play. https://t.co/PA36zX8Mlm
— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) January 21, 2024

Cleveland outscored Atlanta 34-25 in the third quarter and led by 23 going into the fourth. The Cavs would win the game 116-95.

This was a bad performance from the Hawks on offense. They shot 40% from the floor and 29% from three, while also going 10-15 from the free throw line. It was a rough performance all around from the Hawks' offense.

Cleveland shot 50% from the field and 37% from three. Seven Cavalier players got in double figures, going back to my earlier point that the Cavs got an all-around effort from everyone tonight and did not need to rely on Mitchell to carry the load for the team.

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The winning streak was over, but this was always going to be a tough game due to the rest advantage that Cleveland had. Atlanta is back in action on Monday when they face the Kings on the road. The tip-off is set for 10:00.

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