The Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t able to extend their win streak to four games, falling short to the Atlanta Hawks 111-114.
James Harden and Donovan Mitchell were able to find their spots to score 46 points combined, but it was not enough as the Hawks kept the Cavaliers at arm’s length throughout their many comeback attempts in the fourth quarter.
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The Cavaliers came out efficient and were able to grab a 15-point lead in the second quarter. However, it never really felt like the Cavaliers were able to reclaim that same level of energy or shot-making once Atlanta’s shots started falling.
The Hawks outhustled the Cavaliers from the second quarter onward, including efforts from Onyeka Okongwu (27 points and 10 rebounds) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (25 points).
The Hawks, despite struggling to put the ball in the basket in the first quarter, finished shooting 44% from the field and 40% shooting from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, did not share such fortune (31% from three), it never really felt like they recaptured the groove seen early on.
The Cavaliers saw minimal shooting output from Evan Mobley, Peyton Watson, and Jaylon Tyson, who combined for a 6-for-24 effort from the field. It seemed as if the Cavaliers just ran out of gas and thought that they could simply shoot themselves out of the slump they found themselves in. Unfortunately, unlike their opponent, the Cavaliers never found that rhythm again for the rest of the contest.
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Games like this happen, especially on the second end of a back-to-back. However, the Hawks were also coming off a back-to-back and were able to respond to the first punch thrown.
The Cavaliers once again have proved that an area of improvement for this team is holding onto the leads that they build, or at the least being able to react to a counterpunch from an opponent.
