Evan Mobley hit 5 of 6 threes last night as Cleveland erased a 13-point deficit to beat Washington 121-111. That makes three wins in a row, and the Cavaliers now visit an Atlanta team that has lost three straight.
Is Mobley's three-point shot for real?
Four games is a small sample, but this one is hard to wave off. Mobley went 5 of 6 from deep against Washington and finished with 24 and 12 boards, 10 of those points coming in the fourth. He is shooting 66.7% from three this season and putting up 20.0 a night. Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com wrote that the improved shot changes the Cavs' ceiling. If big men have to chase him out to the arc, the paint opens up for everyone else.
What did the Washington comeback actually show?
It showed that this roster can close. The Wizards led 69-59 at the half, and Cleveland outscored them 62-42 after the break. The game was decided by a 9-0 burst over the final 5:28 that took a 105-104 game to 105-113. The bench earned its minutes: Meleek Thomas was +11 in 20, Mario Hezonja +10 in 17, Sam Merrill +8 in 20. Peyton Watson added 22 on 9 of 17.
What does Atlanta bring tonight?
Atlanta brings a losing streak and a forward who does everything. Quin Snyder's Hawks are 2-3 and have dropped three in a row. Jalen Johnson is posting 19.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker is also at 19.6 a game. Atlanta plays fast at 104.2 possessions, and its plus-4.8 net rating beats Cleveland's plus-1.1. Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye are out. The Cavs have nobody on the injury list.
Should anyone worry about Harden's shooting?
A little. He went 5 of 18 against Washington, including 2 of 10 from deep, and he is at 29.0% from three through four games. He still runs the offense with 6.8 assists a night, and he made the two free throws with 34 seconds left that put Washington away. A Cleveland.com podcast argued that moving him to the bench would break the offense. The fix isn't a lineup change. He has to start making shots.
When do the Cavaliers play the Hawks?
Tonight, Oct. 29, in Atlanta, on NBA TV.
Is anyone on the Cavaliers injury report?
No, Cleveland has no injuries listed. Atlanta is without Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye.
