One of the most difficult things to achieve in the National Basketball Association is beating the same team in consecutive games. In this case, the Atlanta Hawks were trying to do it with an off-day in between on Friday afternoon.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cavaliers a night before Thanksgiving, 135-124, behind a team-high 26 points from De’Andre Hunter and 22 assists and 20 points from Trae Young. On Friday afternoon, Atlanta did it again, defeating the Cavs 117-101.
During the first quarter, which ended with Atlanta ahead 29-27, Hunter (17 first half points) led the way with seven points. Late in the period, he scored on back-to-back possessions on mid-range jumpers to tie the game at 23. Cavs center Evan Mobley (16 points and 9 rebounds during first half) had a game-high 10 points and four rebounds during the first quarter and was virtually unguardable during the period. Early in the second quarter Mobley’s 13th and 14th points of the game came on a dunk off a missed shot by Cavs point guard Darius Garland.
Similar to the game in Cleveland on Wednesday, the Hawks were behind before mounting a comeback and regaining the lead. A fast break dunk by Jalen Johnson pout Atlanta ahead 44-38 with three minutes remaining in the first half. Minutes later a floater from Young gave the Hawks their largest lead of the game, 48-38. The Cavs cut the Hawks lead to two points, 52-50, following consecutive three-pointers by Garland (18 points in the first half, 29 points total) just before the end of the half.
The third quarter began with the Hawks reestablishing their largest lead of the game, 65-55, on a dunk and a lay-in from Clint Capela. The Cavs got it back down to 10 points with three minutes to play in the quarter after Caris LaVert made consecutive three-pointers.
The deciding factor during this victory was the deciding factor during the win in Cleveland on Wednesday: De’Andre Hunter. After making several shots during the third quarter, including a drive to the basket that earned him a trip to the free throw line, Hunter had a team-high 23 points with less than a minute in the third quarter. Having him back in the rotation for Hawks head coach Quin Synder gives the Hawks another player that can create his own shot off the dribble. Hunter has only played in nine of Atlanta’s 20 games this season.
“He’s a guy that I feel lucky to coach,” said Snyder during the postgame press conference. “I think as much as anything it’s the way that he’s played. He’s always in the right position defensively and he’s really embraced shooting the three.”
Snyder credited Hunter on playing physically of late. “I don’t think he gets enough credit for the little things that he does. He’s a warrior.”
Young (21 points, 11 assists in 35 minutes) said it helps him “a lot” to have Hunter being back in the lineup and on court.
A Zaccharie Risacher (11 points) dunk put the Hawks over the 100-point mark with seven minutes to play in the game. The Atlanta lead never fell below double-figures during the fourth quarter. A Daniels three-pointer to beat the shot clock game Atlanta a 110-98 lead late in the game. Despite onoy taking nine shots, Daniels easliy had the most complete game for Atlanta. He scored seven points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished three assists, blocked a shot, and reached his league-high average of three steals.
