Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks: game preview and how to watch

The Cavaliers’ dream season is hanging within the stability as they tackle the Hawks in a do-or-die sport for the eighth seed and an opportunity to tackle the Miami Warmth.

Jarrett Allen is predicted to be a game-time resolution, however Shams Charania of the Athletic is reporting that Allen will “attempt to play.”

It’s tough to overstate how necessary Allen is to this staff. The Cavs are 9-18 this season with out Allen and 35-21 with him. The Cavs are additionally 26-14 when all three of Allen, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland share the ground. They’re outscoring opponents by 8 factors per 100 possessions when all three are on. Hopefully the trio will be capable of share the ground for the primary time since March 6.

HOW TO WATCH

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks

The place: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – Cleveland, OH

When: 7:30 p.m. EST

TV: ESPN

Unfold: Cavs +1

Opposing weblog: Peachtree Hoops

Anticipated Cavs beginning lineup: Darius Garland / Isaac Okoro / Lauri Markkanen / Evan Mobley / Jarrett Allen

Cavs damage report: Jarrett Allen (QUESTIONABLE – finger), Collin Sexton (OUT – knee), Dean Wade (OUT – knee)

Anticipated Hawks beginning lineup: Trae Younger / Kevin Huerter / De’Andre Hunter / Danilo Gallinari / Clint Capela

Hawks damage report: Bojan Bogdanovic (QUESTIONABLE – left ankle sprain), John Collins (OUT – finger), Lou Williams (OUT – decrease again)

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

How the Cavs deal with the primary quarter. The Cavs misplaced Tuesday’s sport towards the Brooklyn Nets within the first quarter. Cleveland was outscored 40-20 within the opening body because the Nets got here out capturing 17 for twenty-four (70.8%) from the ground whereas going 4 of six from deep.

The Hawks asserted their dominance of their opening body towards the Charlotte Hornets, profitable the primary 32-23. Robust opening quarters have carried the Hawks by means of their late season push. Because the starting of March, the Hawks are outscoring opponents by 11.5 factors per 100 possessions with a ridiculous 126.8 first quarter offensive ranking. Moreover, Atlanta’s first quarter highway offensive ranking is 129.6 of their final 12 video games.

The Cavs seemed like a deer within the headlights on the opening of Tuesday’s sport. They performed tentatively to start out and weren’t capable of stem the tide till Kevin Love and Rajon Rondo entered the sport. The Cavs can’t afford a gradual begin towards a staff that may put up factors as rapidly and effectively because the Hawks can.

The battle of the position gamers. Regardless of the scoring numbers from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Cavs did a good job of forcing the ball out of each of their palms. The duo mixed for 31 shot makes an attempt regardless of each enjoying over 40 minutes. The elevated consideration on Durant and Irving allowed the position gamers to get going. Nic Claxton, Bruce Brown and Andre Drummond had their approach with the Cavs.

Conversely, the Cavs received little or no offensive assist from their position gamers. Cavaliers not named Garland, Mobley and Love mixed to go 14-44 (31.8%) from the ground and 3-16 (18.8%) from deep. That isn’t going to chop it in a postseason sport.

The Hawks had been capable of breeze previous the Hornets because of the play of their supporting solid. Trae Younger was restricted to only eight of 24 (33.3%) capturing from the ground. Nonetheless, he was capable of arrange teammates as he completed with 11 assists. Hawks outdoors of Trae Younger shot an excellent 15 for 25 (60%) from three.

Position gamers usually battle on the highway. These struggles are exacerbated within the postseason. Conversely, they will thrive at house. If the Cavs are going to tug out the win on Friday night time, it can doubtless be because of sturdy outings from guys like Markkanen, LeVert, Okoro and Cedi Osman. They will’t afford to have that group go 9-33 (27.3%) from the ground like they did on Tuesday.

Darius Garland vs. Trae Younger. Garland was glorious in his first postseason efficiency. He was capable of get to his spots each driving to the basket and pulling up within the midrange or from three. He completed his postseason debut tied for a sport excessive 34 factors on 13 of 24 capturing with 5 assists.

Younger wasn’t nice within the win over Charlotte, however he has already made a reputation for himself within the postseason together with his run by means of the primary two rounds of the playoffs final season. Younger has additionally had his approach towards the Cavs this yr as he’s averaging 34 factors and 9 assists with .461/.412/.895 capturing of their 4 conferences this season.

Younger is among the greatest offensive gamers within the league, however he could also be one of many worst defenders. It’ll be fascinating to see if the Cavs are capable of make the most of his lack of protection. LeVert discovered one thing within the second half towards the Nets by attacking Irving off-the-dribble and forcing the protection to get well. It’ll be fascinating to see if the Cavs are capable of play Ty Lue ball and make the most of the weak defensive hyperlink.

The winner of this head-to-head matchup on each ends will doubtless decide who is ready to win this one. It ought to be a enjoyable one to observe.

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