Kenny Atkinson saw exactly what he wanted from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Wednesday night’s 122-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. The Cavaliers coach said the third quarter changed everything after Cleveland turned a tight game into a playoff-style test.
“We were more active defensively,” Atkinson said. “I think we forced six turnovers. Dean had the first one, that steal on the wing, and that got us going.” He added that before that stretch, “we were just kind of playing a little passively defensively.”
Atkinson said the performance felt like postseason basketball. “I love the rep we got tonight,” he said. “That was a playoff type game. The ups and downs, we’re up and then they come back. And then you got to execute at the end.”
The Cavaliers did just that, improving to 51-29 and winning their fourth straight and seventh in eight games. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 31 points in his 200th regular-season game of at least 20 points with Cleveland, while Evan Mobley delivered 22 points and tied a career high with 19 rebounds.
Atkinson was especially encouraged by Mobley’s force. “I thought Evan was great tonight,” he said. “He played with such great force. When he plays with that type of force, he’s rebounding the ball, getting in the paint, getting deep in the paint.”
Mobley’s interior pressure helped Cleveland control the possession game, which Atkinson identified as a major key. “That’s their strength,” he said of Atlanta’s rebounding. “We kind of mitigated that tonight.”
Atkinson also praised Mitchell’s third-quarter takeover. “It wasn’t Donovan shooting pull-up threes. It wasn’t Donovan in pick-and-rolls,” he said. “Donovan creating advantages, going by his guy and not only scoring at the rim but spraying out. He really was the catalyst of that third-quarter rush.”
James Harden added 21 points, and Atkinson said Cleveland feels more settled with him late in games. “I feel so comfortable with him with the ball in his hands at the end of the games,” Atkinson said. “Poise, confidence, maturity. We’re just a more mature team with him handling.”
Jarrett Allen’s status remains a concern after he played through issues, and Atkinson kept it simple. “You’re going to have to ask him,” he said. “I know he’s going through some stuff, and we’ll get feedback tomorrow and see where we’re at.”
The Cavaliers host Atlanta again Friday, and Atkinson said the biggest takeaway from Wednesday was the standard his group can reach. “We did a lot of good things,” he said. “Obviously got to clean up some stuff, but great rep in.”
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