Donovan Mitchell’s Cavs smother the Hawks in a 3-point flurry

Tree Young’s absence was clearly visible in the first minutes of the game. THE Hawks lose a lot of balls in the first quarter, Cavaliers start the game 10-0 and Donovan Mitchell 3-point shot. Then the temperature drops again within minutes without a basket on the Cleveland side. Lonzo Ball revives Cleveland before the beginning of the second quarter (31-22).

Kenny Atkinson’s players insist on threes, while the Hawks circulate the ball well, multiply the movements and it pays off. Proof, Atlanta is ahead at the break (50-52).

In the third quarter, the difficulties returned for Quin Snyder and his players. For more than six minutes, the Hawks did not find a way to the basket anymore, while Donovan Mitchell made baskets.

Atlanta reacted a little, with 8-0, before the beginning of the last quarter (78-76). This is not enough as the Atlanta defense suffers and cannot stop for long. In the final moments, Jaylon Tyson and Evan Mobley confirm Cleveland’s 3-point victory (117-109).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Big game by Donovan Mitchell. With 37 points on 12/21 shooting and especially 8/15 on 3-pointers, the former Jazz shined in this game. His secondaries like De’Andre Hunter, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade supported their leader well, who was strong.

– Too many turnovers by the Hawks. Tree Young’s absence in a month will often diminish the Hawks’ offense. The first quarter showed that in a cruel way for Quin Snyder, with eight turnovers. And these wasted possessions became ammunition for the Cavaliers offense. Zachary Rizaher (8 points) and his teammates lost 22 balls and often (but not always) suffered on offense.

– Cavaliers 57 3-point shots. To say that Kenny Atkinson’s troops used, even abused, the outside kick was an understatement, with 57 attempts behind the line. Sure, there were 20 successes (or 35%) and a lot of good shots, but the Cavaliers could have benefited, here and there, from varying and getting closer to the circle.

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