{"id":706970,"date":"2026-04-09T23:57:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T23:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/706970\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T23:57:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T23:57:23","slug":"hawks-face-pivotal-clash-in-rematch-with-cavaliers-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/706970\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks face pivotal clash in rematch with Cavaliers – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley made quite a statement in the first part of the Cleveland Cavaliers\u2019 home-and-home set with the Atlanta Hawks, combining for 53 points and 26 rebounds Wednesday in a 122-116 victory.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s now the Hawks\u2019 turn to host. And there is significantly more pressure on them as the Eastern Conference teams meet Friday in Georgia.<\/p>\n

Cleveland (51-29) will either finish third or fourth in the East, but fifth-place Atlanta (45-35) must win one of its final two games in order to clinch a playoff berth. Falling out of the top six \u2014 and into the play-in tournament \u2014 is a concern for the Hawks.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can get in the playoffs, I don\u2019t think we care who we play,\u201d said Atlanta coach Quin Snyder, whose club is 25-10 since Jan. 21. \u201cWe just want to get in there, truly. We\u2019ve got a new group since midseason. Let\u2019s see what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic are both within a game of the Hawks, who would win a tiebreaker over the Magic and lose one to the Raptors. If Atlanta remains in fifth, it likely will face the Cavaliers in the first round.<\/p>\n

Resting All-Star power forward Jalen Johnson, aggressive shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker or defensive ace Dyson Daniels in the regular-season finale is not an option, unless the Hawks win the rematch.<\/p>\n

Cleveland, on the other hand, plans on keeping all of its key players in street clothes for the next two games to avoid potential injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think both teams were trying to send a message in this first one,\u201d said Mitchell, who is dealing with an ankle injury. \u201cIt\u2019s not the playoffs yet, but that was playoff intensity that you could feel in the arena. It was live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexander-Walker scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, but Johnson and Daniels both fouled out down the stretch. Mitchell and James Harden wore them out by repeatedly attacking the basket.<\/p>\n

Mitchell finished with 31 points, including four free throws in the last 92 seconds after Atlanta pulled within 118-116. Reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Mobley racked up 22 points, a career-high-tying 19 rebounds and three blocked shots.<\/p>\n

Mobley and Mitchell were both a plus-20 and the main reason why the Cavaliers held on for the win, despite blowing almost all of a 105-87 lead in the final 11 minutes.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvan played with such great force tonight,\u201d Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. \u201cI know it\u2019s not perfect, but rebounding the ball and getting into the paint, I thought he was great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cleveland won both matchups at home, while the Hawks were a 130-123 winner on Nov. 28. CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga hadn\u2019t been acquired by Atlanta when the first two games were played last calendar year.<\/p>\n

Harden also wasn\u2019t with the Cavaliers, who are 19-6 with him in the lineup since ending his contentious stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. He scored 21 points Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re really good because James can play different ways for them,\u201d Snyder said. \u201cHe can play in transition, have a 15-16 assist night, and he can score when it\u2019s needed. That combination with Donovan has made Cleveland even tougher to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Atlanta is in great shape physically, with the exception of backup center Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain). Landale was the victim of a flagrant foul by Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic on April 1, suffering the injury that will keep him out for 3-6 weeks.<\/p>\n

Landale is in a walking boot from what Snyder termed \u201ca dirty play\u201d and could wind up missing the entire postseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cPart of him probably wants to play in the boot he\u2019s in,\u201d Snyder said, managing a weak smile. \u201cBut in Jock\u2019s case, with that injury, you don\u2019t know how long he\u2019s going to be out. He\u2019s going to do everything to get back as soon as he can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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