Hawks beat NBA-best Cavaliers again

ATLANTA — De’Andre Hunter scored 23 points off Atlanta’s bench and the Hawks beat Cleveland 117-101 on Friday within the NBA Cup, handing the Cavaliers a loss for the second time in three days.

The Cavaliers (17-3) still boast the NBA’s best record but they once more couldn’t match the Hawks’ scoring depth. Trae Young had 21 points and 11 assists, and Jalen Johnson added 17 points, nine rebounds and 7 assists as Atlanta finished with six scorers in double figures.

Article continues after this commercial

Darius Garland led Cleveland with 29 points and Evan Mobley added 24 points, including seven dunks.

READ: NBA: Trae Young, Hawks hand Cavaliers first home loss

Atlanta won 135-124 at Cleveland on Wednesday night as Young set a profession high with 22 assists. Young leads the NBA in assists 12.5 per game.

Takeaways

Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell was primarily defended by Dyson Daniels as he missed his first 10 shots from the sphere before sinking two 3-pointers late in the primary half. Mitchell made only 5 of 23 shots and finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. … After missing 4 games for left knee injury management, G Caris LeVert had eight points.

Article continues after this commercial

Hawks: Led by Hunter, Atlanta’s bench outscored Cleveland’s reserves 50-28.

READ: NBA Cup: Hawks catch Celtics in closing seconds for win

Key moment

After leading 52-50 at halftime, Clint Capela helped the Hawks draw back within the third quarter. Capela had three consecutive baskets because the Hawks stretched the result in 67-57.

Key stat

The Hawks matched their scoring high for 1 / 4 this season by outscoring the Cavaliers 39-23 within the third period. Additionally they scored 39 points within the second quarter of a 121-116 win over the Latest York Knicks on Nov. 6.

Up next

The Cavaliers will host Boston on Sunday. Atlanta visits Charlotte on Saturday.