The Cleveland Cavaliers used a 44–20 third-quarter surge to defeat the Atlanta Hawks 122-116 on Wednesday night in Cleveland, offering what head coach Kenny Atkinson called “a playoff-type” performance.
The Cavaliers trailed 61-56 at halftime before turning up their defensive pressure after the break. “We were too passive defensively in the first 24 minutes,” Atkinson said. “I loved the rep we got tonight. That was a playoff-type game.”
Key numbers
Donovan Mitchell paced Cleveland with 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, while Evan Mobley added 22 points, matched his career high with 19 rebounds and blocked three shots. James Harden finished with 21 points despite a 6-for-23 night from the field and went 5-for-5 at the foul line. Jarrett Allen contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, and Dean Wade, back from an ankle issue, chipped in eight points off the bench.
Atlanta, winners of 18 of its previous 22 games, was led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 25 points and newcomer Jonathan Kuminga with 24.
Standings watch
The victory moved Cleveland to 51-29, keeping the club fourth in the Eastern Conference and within a half-game of the third-place New York Knicks. Atlanta slipped to 45-35 but remains fifth, now just a half-game ahead of the sixth-place Toronto Raptors.
Rotation taking shape
Atkinson used nine players, a look that could mirror his postseason rotation. He noted that Allen is still managing a knee issue that sidelined him last month and indicated playing time for the final two regular-season games is undecided. “We’re gonna get together tomorrow morning and decide on our plan,” the coach said.
What’s next
The Cavaliers visit the Hawks again Friday before closing the regular season at home against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Atlanta hosts Cleveland on Friday and ends its schedule Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Source: Hoops Wire
