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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The injury bug has crushed the Cleveland Cavaliers, with five of their top seven players sidelined as they look to snap a two-game skid Sunday at home against the Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland has dropped consecutive games, while Atlanta enters trending up after back-to-back wins, including a 128-108 victory over Indiana. The Hawks and Cavs both sit 3-3, though the paths couldn’t look more different.
Donovan Mitchell (hamstring), Jarrett Allen (finger), and Sam Merrill (hip) are questionable. Darius Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) remain out. Coach Kenny Atkinson said he’d “rather have this happen now than in the playoffs,” referring to the rash of injuries.
Evan Mobley dropped a season-high 29 points in Friday’s 112-101 loss to Toronto, but the rest of the lineup struggled badly from the field. Atlanta, meanwhile, keeps rolling behind Jalen Johnson, who’s averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while Trae Young nurses a right knee sprain.
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Line Movement and Odds
The latest numbers on the NBA odds board list Cleveland as a 5.5-point favorite, down slightly from an opening −6. The total has dipped from 231.5 to 229.5, showing early sharp action on the Under.
Public money leans toward Cleveland at roughly 65%, but professional bettors have backed Atlanta. That’s typical when one side has multiple injuries and inflated perception at home.
Moneyline: Cleveland −210 / Atlanta +175
Total: 229.5 (opened 231.5)
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Matchup Breakdown
Cleveland outlook: The Cavaliers’ offense has cratered without their primary creators. Mitchell’s status will dictate the market. If he plays, expect more pick-and-roll isolation looks with Mobley anchoring the defense.
Atlanta outlook: The Hawks’ spacing and ball movement have improved without Young dominating possessions. Johnson and Dyson Daniels have been elite defensively, combining for 14 rebounds and 11 assists per game in the last two outings.
Cleveland’s bigs should dominate the glass, but the Hawks’ wings are younger and faster. Watch for tempo control to decide this matchup.
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Injuries and Conditions
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) – Questionable
- Jarrett Allen (finger) – Questionable
- Sam Merrill (hip) – Questionable
- Darius Garland (toe) – Out
- Max Strus (foot) – Out
See full details on the Cavaliers injury report
Atlanta Hawks
- Trae Young (knee) – Out
- Rest of roster healthy
Check the Hawks injury report before tipoff.
Indoor venue, no weather concerns.
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Best Bets and Prediction
Cleveland’s home edge is real, but the injuries make them unreliable as a mid-range favorite. Atlanta’s length and energy match well against Mobley and company. The market’s slight Under move reflects both teams’ defensive improvement.
Best Bet: Hawks +5.5
Secondary Lean: Under 229.5
Projected Score: Cavaliers 111, Hawks 108
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