Cavs come up short in Atlanta on Donovan Mitchell’s record-setting night: Behind the numbers

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A hovering shot from halfcourt to place an exclamation level on one other good – and historic – night time for Donovan Mitchell?

Not this time.

Mitchell’s magic got here up simply brief on the buzzer as Atlanta outlasted Cleveland, 120-118, in a back-and forth battle at State Farm Area on Tuesday night time.

The loss snaps the Cavs’ four-game successful streak and knocks them two video games again of Philadelphia for the third seed within the Jap Convention. The 76ers personal the tiebreaker towards the Cavs.

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As they jockey for playoff positioning, the Cavs discovered themselves in one other battle with Atlanta, a workforce that has given them suits the previous couple years.

After 15 lead adjustments and 7 ties, it was one other lesson amidst a playoff ambiance on the street. Right here’s a deeper take a look at how the Hawks (38-38) defeated the Cavs (48-29), by the numbers:

Mitchell completed with a game-high 44 factors (15 of 33), 5 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals. He additionally went 9 of 9 from the free throw line and 5 of 12 from past the arc. It marks the tenth time that he has scored 40 or extra factors in a sport this season as he turns into tied with Lebron James for the franchises most 40-point video games in single season.

Mitchell additionally has the third-most 40-point video games within the first 12 months with a brand new workforce in NBA historical past. He’s behind solely Walt Bellamy (12 video games with Chicago 1961-62) and Wilt Chamberlain (32 video games with Philadelphia 1959-60).

He completed one 3-pointer shy of tying his single-season report (232) set final season with the Utah Jazz.

In accordance with NBA.com participant monitoring information, 24 of Mitchell’s 33 shot makes an attempt got here with three or extra dribbles whereas 29 of his shot makes an attempt got here with a defender inside 2 to six ft.

Mitchell opened up the third quarter with a driving layup in transition, and was fouled.

The play not solely gave Cleveland a bolt out of the gate, however it additionally put Mitchell over 10,000 profession factors. He turned the quickest participant in NBA historical past to achieve 10,000 profession factors and 1,000 profession 3-pointers, attaining the feat in 410 profession video games. Of energetic gamers, solely Kevin Durant (381), Joel Embiid (373) and LeBron James (368) have reached 10,000 factors sooner.

After a nine-point second quarter, Mitchell had a 15-point third quarter because the Hawks took a 94-84 lead heading into the fourth. He tallied 17 factors within the fourth quarter, together with his fifth 3-pointer with 55 seconds left within the sport to chop Atlanta’s result in 119-118.

Cavs ahead Evan Mobley notched his twenty third double-double of the season with 20 factors, 15 rebounds, six assists and 4 blocks. Mobley had 21 double-doubles in his rookie marketing campaign final 12 months.

Regardless of not having middle Jarrett Allen (groin soreness), the Cavs outscored Atlanta 72-44 contained in the paint. Cleveland was 27 of 41 (65.9%) contained in the restricted space however they misplaced the rebounding battle, 51-40. The Hawks have struggled mightily within the paint towards their opponents this season.

“It’s essential to take a look at factors within the paint – and we’ll watch the movie once more – and simply see how they obtained them,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder stated. “When they’re getting in transition and quick break factors, these generally have extra to do what you’re doing offensively than something. I feel It’s one thing our guys are conscious of and we’re engaged on. Donovan has a manner of getting within the paint, and so does Garland, so retaining these guards out of the center of the ground is a giant deal the place you possibly can really give one another some assist.”

The depleted Cavs bench was gashed by Atlanta for a 44-14 benefit, together with 21 factors on 5 of 5 from massive man reserve Onyeka Okongwu. He hit 11 of 12 from the free throw line to associate with three blocks. 4 Cavs starters (Darius Garland, Lamar Stevens, Mobley and Mitchell) performed 40 or extra minutes to make up for the brief bench.

Hawks star guard Trae Younger was held to 1 of 8 taking pictures within the first three quarters. His first basket of the sport got here with 1:25 left within the third quarter as he sank a 3-pointer to place the Hawks up 89-79. He completed with 16 factors on 4-of-15 taking pictures to associate with 10 assists and 6 turnovers, 5 of them within the first half.

Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 29 factors, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

Mitchell, Garland and Mobley mixed for 38 of their 51 factors within the first half. Cleveland trailed Atlanta, 59-51.

Caris LeVert swiped a steal within the first quarter, marking his twelfth straight sport with at the very least one steal. LeVert acquired the beginning for the ailing Isaac Okoro (left knee soreness). He completed with 9 factors, 4 rebounds, three assists and one steal.

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