Game Thread: Hawks battle Cavs for Final Playoff Spot

[Jamaaliver]

‘Everything on the table’ as teams prepare for win-or-go-home showdown



One game. Winner moves on. Loser goes home.

Atlanta -- last year’s conference finalist and a relative underachiever this season -- is all that stands between Cleveland and its first playoff appearance without LeBron James in more than two decades.

With the season on the line, “everything’s on the table” for Cleveland. A starting lineup change. Shortened rotation. Longer stretches for the mainstays. New defensive schemes. This isn’t the time to hold anything back.

Beating the Hawks starts with containing two-time All-Star point guard Trae Young -- a pick-and-roll savant who ranked sixth in scoring and third in assists this season. But slowing him is easier said than done. The top name on Cleveland’s scouting report, Young averaged 32.5 points in the four regular-season meetings between the two teams. The Hawks won the season series, 3-1, including a 131-107 blowout inside Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on March 31. Young poured in 30 points that night. He had 41 in a pre-All-Star break victory.

There’s always a danger in devoting too many resources to thwarting one player. The Cavs need to be careful. The Hawks, who ranked second in offensive rating this season, have a well-coached, balanced attack.

During Wednesday’s 132-103 rout over Charlotte, the Hawks had six players reach double figures. Young started slow, then finished with 24 points. De’Andre Hunter added 22. Clint Capela -- an elite rim protector, lob threat and roller -- had a double-double, scoring 15 points to go with 17 rebounds.

Despite last spring’s playoff success, the Hawks went just 16-25 on the road this season. They haven’t beaten a top 10 team from either conference away from home since Jan. 23 -- a 113-91 triumph over the Hornets. Atlanta is 0-9 in such games against upper echelon opponents. They average more than five fewer points away from State Farm Arena -- a disparity Cleveland coaches are fully aware of heading into Friday’s winner-take-all showdown.

After everything they’ve been through, their season comes down to one game.

Cleveland.com

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[Jamaaliver]

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[HMFFL]

Jarrett Allen (fractured left middle finger) will attempt to play in Friday's game against the Hawks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. 


While Allen, who injured his finger in early March, has been limited in practice recently, he is officially listed as questionable for Friday's play-in game. Getting him back would give the Cavaliers a much-needed boost, as the starting lineup has been limited offensively beyond Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Whether or not Allen will start, and if he'll be on a minutes restriction, is not known at this time. 

SOURCE: Shams Charania on Twitter

Apr 14, 2022, 4:36 PM ET



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[Jamaaliver]

Bogdan will be limited moving forward...

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[Galloisdaman]

The Cavs showed some real talent this season. Hope we are ready for them. We will really need Cap in this one.

[jayu70]

The Cavs showed some real talent this season. Hope we are ready for them. We will really need Cap in this one.

Cap will be ready. In 3 games vs the Allen/Mobley duo - Clint totaled 23 points and 44 rebounds.

[HMFFL]

Chris Kirschner: Trae Young on tonight’s stakes: “It’s what you live for. You live to play in the postseason. You live to play in pressure moments and big-time games. I consider this a big-time game. If we win this, we get into the playoffs. It’s a big game for both teams.”

 

– via Twitter ChrisKirschner



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[Galloisdaman]

Is Bogi playing? That second unit really needs him.

[jayu70]

Is Bogi playing? That second unit really needs him.

game time decision.

[Galloisdaman]

Is Bogi playing? That second unit really needs him.

game time decision.

Hope he is healthy enough to play. With Gallo in the starting lineup, Lou out and Bogs out that second unit would look pretty thin.

[DirtybirdGA]

I hope they can actually beat a +500 team on the road, they haven't done that in weeks.

[ducler]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[Galloisdaman]

Lets Go Hawks!

[HMFFL]

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Yes, we must defend Kevin Love, and not forget about him. His head is screwed on right this season and he's focused.

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[Galloisdaman]

Guys need to work together more. Not a lot of significant passing so far.

[Jamaaliver]

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[HMFFL]

Let's keep chucking up three pointers since we've already missed 16 of them. Maybe they will eventually go in and win the game for us..lol

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[Galloisdaman]

I felt like we looked tired but guys are not quitting. Tie game. Hope they have enough energy. Basically playing 6 guys now.

[HMFFL]

I felt like we looked tired but guys are not quitting. Tie game. Hope they have enough energy. Basically playing 6 guys now.

Yes!
Time to get the lead and keep it.

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