Hawks hold off Mitchell, Cavaliers; Bucks win Central
ATLANTA (AP) Dejounte Murray and Trae Young displayed what Atlanta coach Quin Snyder called a “connectivity” in the backcourt against the Cleveland Cavaliers that could be important for the Hawks' postseason hopes.
Murray sank three free throws with 2:14 remaining to give Atlanta the lead and added a fall-away jumper with less than a minute left to lead the Hawks to a 120-118 win over the short-handed Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Murray led Atlanta with 29 points and Onyeka Okongwu added a season-high 21. Young, usually Atlanta's top scorer, had 16 points with 10 assists and only one second-half turnover.
“I thought they played off each other and there was a connectivity there that was important to the team,” Snyder said.
The Hawks remained tied with Toronto, which beat Miami 106-92 on Tuesday night, for the eighth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Murray said the Hawks know there's no room for home losses with only six games remaining in the regular season.
“Just knowing we're in a must-win situation, trying just to control the Atlanta Hawks,” Murray said. “We came out ready to play for 48 minutes and got a great win.”
The Cavaliers held out starting forward Isaac Okoro (left knee soreness) and center Jarrett Allen (strained right groin) and were led by Donovan Mitchell's 44 points. Mitchell tied LeBron James' Cavaliers record of 10 games of 40-or-more points in a season.
With Atlanta's win, NBA- and Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee clinched the Central Division title.
After Murray's jumper gave Atlanta a 119-115 advantage, Mitchell's 3-pointer cut the lead to one point. Mitchell missed another 3 with 12.5 seconds remaining. After Young made one of two free throws with 3 seconds remaining, Mitchell's last-gasp 3-pointer from beyond half court hit the back iron.
The Cavaliers, who were knocked out of last season's Eastern Conference play-in tournament by Atlanta, locked up their first playoff spot since 2018 by beating Houston 108-91 on Sunday.
Mitchell passed 10,000 career points in his reunion with Snyder, the former Utah coach. Mitchell played for Snyder for five seasons (2017-22) in Utah. Snyder was hired by Atlanta on Feb. 26, after the Hawks fired Nate McMillan.
Mitchell began the night 13 points away from 10,000 points and passed the mark on a layup to open the second half.
GUARDING AGAINST FREE THROWS
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before the game a goal was to limit Young's trips to the free-throw line. “He does such a good job of putting you in harm's way,” Bickerstaff said. Young made 6 of 9 free throws.
Meanwhile, Okongwu made 11 of 12 free throws.
“I told him after the game he's got to go 12 for 12,” Snyder said.
PRAISE FOR MITCHELL
After the game, Snyder said “it was kind of strange seeing (Mitchell) on the other team.”
Snyder said he is not surprised to see Mitchell, who is averaging a career-best 27.4 points, thriving with Cleveland.
“The way he's playing now, it's not surprising to me in the slightest," Snyder said. "... I think the world of him, obviously.”
BREY VISITS
Mike Brey, who stepped down as Notre Dame's coach after posting a 483-280 record in 23 seasons, visited the Hawks' shootaround practice Tuesday morning. Snyder said the two “go back about 35 years” and added “I don't know what he's going to be doing, but it's good to see him and have him with us.”
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Darius Garland scored 27 points. ... Bickerstaff said he was protecting Okoro, who he said was “extremely disappointed because Isaac wants to play all 82 games.” ... Evan Mobley had 20 points and 15 rebounds. ... PF Dean Wade (non-COVID illness) and G Raul Neto (left hamstring strain) also did not play.
Hawks: Young missed his first four shots from the field and was scoreless before sinking two free throws with 3:37 remaining in the first half. ... F Jalen Johnson (groin, hamstring) missed his seventh straight game. ... Saddiq Bey had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host New York Knicks on Friday.
Hawks: Visit Brooklyn on Friday.
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| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 |  | Evan Mobley vs. Clint Capela (Lamar Stevens gains possession) | ||
| 11:43 |  | +2 | Lamar Stevens makes two point driving layup (Darius Garland assists) | 2-0 |
| 11:24 | | +2 | De'Andre Hunter makes two point pullup jump shot (Dejounte Murray assists) | 2-2 |
| 11:08 | | Donovan Mitchell misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 11:05 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 10:54 | | John Collins turnover (lost ball) (Caris LeVert steals) | ||
| 10:48 | | +2 | Darius Garland makes two point running reverse layup (Caris LeVert assists) | 4-2 |
| 10:26 | | +3 | John Collins makes three point jump shot (Trae Young assists) | 4-5 |
| 10:14 | | De'Andre Hunter personal foul (Donovan Mitchell draws the foul) | ||
| 9:59 | | +2 | Evan Mobley makes two point cutting dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists) | 6-5 |
| 9:45 | | +2 | Clint Capela makes two point driving reverse layup (Trae Young assists) | 6-7 |
| 9:33 | | +2 | Darius Garland makes two point driving floating jump shot | 8-7 |
| 9:14 | | Trae Young turnover (bad pass) (Donovan Mitchell steals) | ||
| 9:10 | | Lamar Stevens misses two point running layup | ||
| 9:05 | | Lamar Stevens offensive rebound | ||
| 8:58 | | Evan Mobley misses two point driving layup | ||
| 8:55 | | De'Andre Hunter defensive rebound | ||
| 8:41 | | Clint Capela misses two point turnaround hook shot | ||
| 8:38 | | Evan Mobley defensive rebound | ||
| 8:20 | | +2 | Evan Mobley makes two point reverse dunk (Darius Garland assists) | 10-7 |
| 8:09 | | Trae Young misses two point driving layup | ||
| 8:08 | | Cavaliers defensive rebound | ||
| 7:54 | | +2 | Darius Garland makes two point driving floating bank jump shot | 12-7 |
| 7:47 | | De'Andre Hunter misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:44 | | Evan Mobley defensive rebound | ||
| 7:33 | | Cavaliers 60 second timeout | ||
| 7:27 | | +2 | Evan Mobley makes two point finger roll layup (Darius Garland assists) | 14-7 |
| 7:06 | | Dejounte Murray misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 7:03 | | Evan Mobley defensive rebound | ||
| 6:46 | | Caris LeVert misses two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 6:43 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 6:33 | | John Collins misses two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot | ||
| 6:29 | | Caris LeVert defensive rebound | ||
| 6:24 | | +3 | Donovan Mitchell makes three point pullup jump shot (Caris LeVert assists) | 17-7 |
| 6:08 | | +2 | Dejounte Murray makes two point pullup bank jump shot | 17-9 |
| 5:41 | | +2 | Evan Mobley makes two point cutting dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists) | 19-9 |
| 5:25 | | Trae Young misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 5:23 | | Clint Capela offensive rebound | ||
| 5:20 | | +3 | John Collins makes three point jump shot (Trae Young assists) | 19-12 |
| 5:07 | | Donovan Mitchell misses two point driving layup | ||
| 5:05 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 5:01 | | Trae Young turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | ||
| 4:48 | | Lamar Stevens misses two point layup | ||
| 4:46 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 4:39 | | +3 | Dejounte Murray makes three point pullup jump shot | 19-15 |
| 4:22 | | Donovan Mitchell misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:17 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 4:08 | | Bogdan Bogdanovic misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:06 | | Cedi Osman defensive rebound | ||
| 4:05 | | Cedi Osman turnover (out of bounds step) | ||
| 3:53 | | +2 | Dejounte Murray makes two point driving floating bank jump shot | 19-17 |
| 3:36 | | Cedi Osman misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 3:32 | | De'Andre Hunter defensive rebound | ||
| 3:25 | | Ricky Rubio personal foul (De'Andre Hunter draws the foul) | ||
| 3:18 | | Dejounte Murray misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 3:16 | | Saddiq Bey offensive rebound | ||
| 3:14 | | +3 | Bogdan Bogdanovic makes three point jump shot (Saddiq Bey assists) | 19-20 |
| 2:48 | | Ricky Rubio misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 2:46 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 2:41 | | Saddiq Bey misses three point jump shot | ||
| 2:40 | | Hawks offensive rebound | ||
| 2:40 | | Hawks 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:33 | | Saddiq Bey misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 2:30 | | Evan Mobley defensive rebound | ||
| 2:17 | | Darius Garland turnover (bad pass) (Bogdan Bogdanovic steals) | ||
| 1:58 | | +2 | Onyeka Okongwu makes two point driving floating jump shot (Vit Krejci assists) | 19-22 |
| 1:48 | | Darius Garland misses two point driving floating bank jump shot | ||
| 1:46 | | Evan Mobley offensive rebound | ||
| 1:44 | | +3 | Cedi Osman makes three point jump shot (Evan Mobley assists) | 22-22 |
| 1:38 | | Trae Young turnover (bad pass) (Cedi Osman steals) | ||
| 1:30 | | Vit Krejci personal foul (Evan Mobley draws the foul) | ||
| 1:18 | | Evan Mobley misses two point turnaround jump shot | ||
| 1:15 | | Vit Krejci defensive rebound | ||
| 1:03 | | Onyeka Okongwu turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | ||
| 0:52 | | +2 | Darius Garland makes two point cutting layup (Evan Mobley assists) | 24-22 |
| 0:44 | | Cedi Osman shooting foul (Onyeka Okongwu draws the foul) | ||
| 0:44 | | +1 | Onyeka Okongwu makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 24-23 |
| 0:44 | | +1 | Onyeka Okongwu makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 24-24 |
| 0:38 | | Darius Garland misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:35 | | Vit Krejci defensive rebound | ||
| 0:30 | | Trae Young misses two point running layup | ||
| 0:27 | | Evan Mobley defensive rebound | ||
| 0:05 | | Darius Garland offensive foul (Charge) (Trae Young draws the foul) | ||
| 0:05 | | Darius Garland turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:51 | | Caris LeVert shooting foul (Onyeka Okongwu draws the foul) | ||
| 11:51 | | +1 | Onyeka Okongwu makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 24-25 |
| 11:51 | | +1 | Onyeka Okongwu makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 24-26 |
| 11:36 | | Evan Mobley misses two point turnaround hook shot | ||
| 11:33 | | Onyeka Okongwu defensive rebound | ||
| 11:23 | | +2 | Onyeka Okongwu makes two point cutting layup (Bogdan Bogdanovic assists) | 24-28 |
| 11:08 | | Darius Garland misses two point floating jump shot | ||
| 11:06 | | Onyeka Okongwu defensive rebound | ||
| 11:01 | | Onyeka Okongwu offensive foul (Off the ball) (Darius Garland draws the foul) | ||
| 11:01 | | Onyeka Okongwu turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 10:47 | | +2 | Caris LeVert makes two point driving layup | 26-28 |
| 10:47 | | Vit Krejci shooting foul (Caris LeVert draws the foul) | ||
| 10:47 | | Caris LeVert misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 10:45 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 10:31 | | +2 | Bogdan Bogdanovic makes two point driving layup | 26-30 |
| 10:11 | | Darius Garland misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 10:08 | | Onyeka Okongwu defensive rebound | ||
| 10:00 | | Saddiq Bey misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:56 | | Caris LeVert defensive rebound | ||
| 9:44 | | Onyeka Okongwu shooting foul (Caris LeVert draws the foul) | ||
| 9:44 | | Caris LeVert misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 9:44 | | Cavaliers offensive rebound | ||
| 9:44 | | Caris LeVert misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 9:41 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 9:30 | | Trae Young misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 9:27 | | Ricky Rubio defensive rebound | ||
| 9:13 | | +2 | Ricky Rubio makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 28-30 |
| 8:59 | | +2 | Saddiq Bey makes two point driving floating jump shot (Trae Young assists) | 28-32 |
| 8:46 | | Ricky Rubio misses two point driving finger roll layup | ||
| 8:43 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 8:40 | | Trae Young turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | ||
| 8:23 | | +2 | Mamadi Diakite makes two point cutting dunk (Ricky Rubio assists) | 30-32 |
| 8:09 | | +2 | De'Andre Hunter makes two point driving floating bank jump shot (Dejounte Murray assists) | 30-34 |
| 7:56 | | +2 | Ricky Rubio makes two point driving layup | 32-34 |
| 7:37 | | De'Andre Hunter misses two point floating jump shot | ||
| 7:34 | | Bogdan Bogdanovic offensive rebound | ||
| 7:31 | | Mamadi Diakite shooting foul (Saddiq Bey draws the foul) | ||
| 7:31 | | +1 | Saddiq Bey makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 32-35 |
| 7:31 | | +1 | Saddiq Bey makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 32-36 |
| 7:18 | | Ricky Rubio turnover (bad pass) (Saddiq Bey steals) | ||
| 7:14 | | +2 | John Collins makes two point running dunk (Saddiq Bey assists) | 32-38 |
| 6:55 | | Donovan Mitchell misses two point driving layup | ||
| 6:53 | | Onyeka Okongwu defensive rebound | ||
| 6:42 | | Cavaliers technical foul (Defensive three second) | ||
| 6:42 | | Hawks 60 second timeout | ||
| 6:42 | | +1 | De'Andre Hunter makes technical free throw 1 of 1 | 32-39 |
| 6:34 | | +2 | Dejounte Murray makes two point pullup jump shot (Clint Capela assists) | 32-41 |
| 6:15 | | Clint Capela shooting foul (Evan Mobley draws the foul) | ||
| 6:15 | | Evan Mobley misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 6:15 | | Cavaliers offensive rebound | ||
| 6:15 | | Evan Mobley misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 6:12 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 6:04 | | +2 | Dejounte Murray makes two point driving layup | 32-43 |
| 5:46 | | +2 | Donovan Mitchell makes two point pullup jump shot | 34-43 |
| 5:35 | | +2 | Saddiq Bey makes two point cutting layup (Dejounte Murray assists) | 34-45 |
| 5:18 | | Darius Garland misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 5:15 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 5:06 | | +2 | Clint Capela makes two point layup (Dejounte Murray assists) | 34-47 |
| 5:06 | | Cavaliers 60 second timeout | ||
| 4:49 | | +2 | Evan Mobley makes two point turnaround hook shot | 36-47 |
| 4:33 | | +3 | Dejounte Murray makes three point pullup jump shot (John Collins assists) | 36-50 |
| 4:33 | | Lamar Stevens shooting foul (Dejounte Murray draws the foul) | ||
| 4:33 | | +1 | Dejounte Murray makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 36-51 |
| 4:19 | | +3 | Donovan Mitchell makes three point stepback jump shot (Darius Garland assists) | 39-51 |
| 3:57 | | Dejounte Murray misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 3:53 | | Lamar Stevens defensive rebound | ||
| 3:48 | | Donovan Mitchell misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:47 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 3:47 | | Lamar Stevens personal foul (John Collins draws the foul) | ||
| 3:37 | | Lamar Stevens personal foul (Trae Young draws the foul) | ||
| 3:37 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 39-52 |
| 3:37 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 39-53 |
| 3:27 | | +2 | Donovan Mitchell makes two point driving layup | 41-53 |
| 3:19 | | Evan Mobley personal foul (Trae Young draws the foul) | ||
| 3:19 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 41-54 |
| 3:19 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 41-55 |
| 3:08 | | Donovan Mitchell misses two point driving dunk | ||
| 3:05 | | Caris LeVert offensive rebound | ||
| 3:02 | | +2 | Evan Mobley makes two point layup (Caris LeVert assists) | 43-55 |
| 2:44 | | Trae Young turnover (bad pass) (Donovan Mitchell steals) | ||
| 2:39 | | Darius Garland misses two point running pullup jump shot | ||
| 2:35 | | De'Andre Hunter defensive rebound | ||
| 2:33 | | Trae Young misses three point running pullup jump shot | ||
| 2:31 | | Lamar Stevens defensive rebound | ||
| 2:16 | | +2 | Darius Garland makes two point driving layup | 45-55 |
| 2:01 | | De'Andre Hunter misses two point jump shot | ||
| 1:59 | | Evan Mobley defensive rebound | ||
| 1:55 | | De'Andre Hunter shooting foul (Donovan Mitchell draws the foul) | ||
| 1:55 | | +1 | Donovan Mitchell makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 46-55 |
| 1:55 | | +1 | Donovan Mitchell makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 47-55 |
| 1:46 | | +2 | Clint Capela makes two point alley-oop dunk (Trae Young assists) | 47-57 |
| 1:31 | | Darius Garland misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 1:27 | | Dejounte Murray defensive rebound | ||
| 1:22 | | +2 | Dejounte Murray makes two point driving floating jump shot | 47-59 |
| 1:01 | | Darius Garland misses two point driving layup | ||
| 1:00 | | Evan Mobley offensive rebound | ||
| 1:00 | | +2 | Evan Mobley makes two point putback dunk | 49-59 |
| 0:43 | | Evan Mobley blocks Clint Capela's two point layup | ||
| 0:41 | | Cavaliers defensive rebound |