Deadspin: Hawks Withstand Cavaliers’ Late Push to Hold On for 114-111 Win

Okongwu leads Atlanta attack

Okongwu made 11 of 17 shots, including four 3-pointers, and added a season-high 12 rebounds. Alexander-Walker also made four 3-pointers, finishing with 8-for-17 shooting from the field. Aaron Wiggins contributed a season-high 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Jalen Johnson scored 17 points for Atlanta.

Cleveland rallies after early lead

Cleveland held Atlanta to 23.8% shooting in the first quarter and opened a 28-16 advantage with an early 10-3 run. The 16 points were Atlanta’s fewest in any quarter this season.

The Cavaliers led 35-24 with 7:22 remaining in the first half. Atlanta answered with a 13-2 run, tying the score on an Okongwu runner at 4:33 before taking a 46-44 halftime lead.

Hawks build lead, then hold on

Atlanta went ahead 61-50 on an Alexander-Walker 3-pointer with 9:14 left in the third quarter. Cleveland cut the gap to 83-82 as James Harden scored nine points in the period, but the Hawks scored 43 in the third and led 89-82 entering the fourth.

Atlanta was up by 10 with 4:34 to play. Mitchell brought Cleveland within one with a basket at 21 seconds, but Alexander-Walker’s two free throws with 15.3 seconds remaining restored a three-point margin. Mitchell’s two late attempts to tie did not fall.