Many good things have contributed to the amazing start to the season for the Braves. One of the biggest factors is how well many of the depth position player signings and acquisitions have worked out for Atlanta, such as Dominic Smith and Jorge Mateo. But the best of all was the trade for Mauricio Dubon, whose versatility has been extremely valuable for the Braves. Alex Anthopoulos has always made good moves on the margins, and this year is no different.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers live stream info, start time, TV channel: How to watch NBA on TV, stream online
Who’s Playing
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks
Current Records: Cleveland 24-15, Atlanta 18-23
How To Watch
- When: Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia
- TV: Bally Sports – Ohio
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket Cost: $29.99
What to Know
The Cavaliers have enjoyed a six-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. They will square off against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at State Farm Arena. The Cavaliers are expected to win (but not by much) so they will need to come into the match prepared for a fight.
Winning is just a little bit easier when you work as a team to post 17 more assists than your opponent, a fact the Cavaliers proved on Wednesday. They steamrolled past Milwaukee 135-95 at home. That 40 points margin sets a new team best for the Cavaliers this season.
The Cavaliers’ success was spearheaded by the efforts of Georges Niang, who scored 33 points along with five rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell, who scored 31 points along with seven assists and five rebounds. The matchup was Mitchell’s third in a row with at least 30 points. Jarrett Allen was another key contributor, dropping a double-double on 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Hawks waltzed into their contest Friday with two straight wins but they left with three. Not to be outdone by Miami, Atlanta got past Miami on a last-second jump shot courtesy of Dejounte Murray with 2 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland’s win was their sixth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 24-15. Those good results were due in large part to their offensive dominance across that stretch, as they averaged 121.0 points per game. As for Atlanta, their victory bumped their record up to 18-23.
This contest is one where the number of possessions is likely to be a big factor: The Cavaliers haven’t given up the ball easily this season, having only averaged 13.3 turnovers per game. However, it’s not like the Hawks struggle in that department as they’ve been averaging only 13.3 turnovers per game. Given these competing strengths, it’ll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
The Cavaliers were able to grind out a solid win over the Hawks in their previous matchup back in December of 2023, winning 127-119. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Cavaliers since the squad won’t have the home-court advantage this time around. We’ll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Odds
Cleveland is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Atlanta, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Cavaliers as a 1.5-point favorite.
The over/under is set at 231 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Atlanta has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Cleveland.
- Dec 16, 2023 – Cleveland 127 vs. Atlanta 119
- Nov 28, 2023 – Cleveland 128 vs. Atlanta 105
- Mar 28, 2023 – Atlanta 120 vs. Cleveland 118
- Feb 24, 2023 – Atlanta 136 vs. Cleveland 119
- Nov 21, 2022 – Cleveland 114 vs. Atlanta 102
- Apr 15, 2022 – Atlanta 107 vs. Cleveland 101
- Mar 31, 2022 – Atlanta 131 vs. Cleveland 107
- Feb 15, 2022 – Atlanta 124 vs. Cleveland 116
- Dec 31, 2021 – Atlanta 121 vs. Cleveland 118
- Oct 23, 2021 – Cleveland 101 vs. Atlanta 95
Atlanta, GA
Falcons sign Drake London to four-year extension
One of the most inevitable moves of the summer is complete. The Atlanta Falcons have given Drake London a lucrative four year deal worth up to $150 million, locking up their top receiver for the foreseeable future.
It’s a deserved extension for a physical, sure-handed talent who has been consistently excellent in Atlanta despite a constantly rotating cast of quarterbacks. London, who has averaged 1,086 yards over four NFL seasons and has 22 touchdowns over that span, has also emerged as one of the locker room’s most vocal and accountable players.
The 2022 first round pick came into the NFL catching passes from Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder and flourished immediately, with 806 yards and four touchdowns in year one and 905 yards and two touchdowns in year two. When the coaching staff turned over and Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. entered the picture, London exploded for 100 catches, 1,271 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2024, following that up with 919 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games a year ago. Through just four seasons, London is already 10th in team history in receiving yards, eighth in receptions, and 13th in touchdowns, and mixes that with solid blocking. He’s been the ideal receiver for the last two iterations of this Falcons offense, and I have no doubt that will continue here.
The contract’s guaranteed money would be tops in the NFL if the $100 million figure is accurate, but by overall money it’s just the third most lucrative contract in the league, and will likely be hovering near the bottom of the top ten in a couple of seasons. The Falcons were never going to risk losing their top receiving option, and if all goes well, London will continue to thrive in Atlanta and set his sights on surpassing some franchise legends in the years to come. I’m glad the deal is done, and we’ll see the exact terms soon enough.
How do you feel about this extension?
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves News: Mauricio Dubon, Hurston Waldrep, Week Ahead, More
Andrelton Simmons plies his trade in Mexico
The Athletic caught up with former Braves shortstop – and one of the most gifted defenders at the position in the history of the game – Andrelton Simmons who, at 36, returned to organized baseball in Mexico last season.
Link below.
In a fun “Where are they now” segment, here is an update on Andrelton Simmons.
Atlanta, GA
Woman fatally stabbed on MARTA train near Oakland City Station; riders question transit safety as World Cup nears
A man accused of fatally stabbing a woman aboard a MARTA train is now in custody, as the violent attack raises new concerns about safety across Atlanta’s transit system.
According to police, 52-year-old Margaret Swan was riding a MARTA train near the Oakland City Station on May 30 when she was stabbed to death.
Investigators say officers quickly arrested the suspect, identified as John Elijah Matthews, at the station shortly after the attack.
Swan’s ex-husband, Jerry Swan, said he was devastated when his daughter called to tell him what happened.
“I was happy they caught him, but in my mind the thought was why did he do that to such a nice person,” he said.
Jerry Swan described Margaret as a devoted grandmother who loved spending time with her family.
“She was on her way to keep one of her grandbabies when it happened,” he said.
The deadly stabbing has also left some MARTA riders uneasy about safety on the transit system.
Nahsar Alexander, who says he rides MARTA every day, told CBS News Atlanta the attack is alarming.
“That was an innocent lady,” Alexander said. “If she didn’t do anything, what’s stopping someone from hurting me?”
MARTA officials say nearly 300 officers are assigned throughout the transit system to help keep riders safe. Additional officers were visible Monday at stations, including patrols on motorcycles.
The agency says security measures are also expected to increase ahead of the FIFA World Cup, when Atlanta is expected to see a major influx of visitors.
MARTA says its current security resources include more than 12,000 cameras across rail stations, buses and railcars, along with a Real Time Crime Center monitored during operating hours. Officials also say undercover officers regularly patrol stations, buses and trains.
Ahead of the World Cup, MARTA plans to activate its Emergency Operations Center during matches and fan events, deploy its Mobile Command Vehicle at key locations and partner with outsidxe law enforcement agencies for additional support.
Officials say additional train patrols and crowd control teams will also be used throughout the system.
Some riders say the increased police presence is reassuring, but concerns remain.
“Yes, but even with more police officers crime is still going to happen,” Alexander said.
Matthews is facing a murder charge.
MARTA says all staff not directly involved in operations or policing will also serve as Transit Ambassadors during the World Cup to assist riders and monitor activity across the system.
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