Atlanta must improve its defense

Atlanta is playing well offensively, scoring an average of 121.0 points per game which is fourth highest in the NBA. The Hawks have the 20th-best field goal shooting percentage at 46.6% and the 17th-best 3-point shooting percentage. The Hawks are hitting 81.4% of their free throws which is sixth. Trae Young, questionable, is the leading scorer for Atlanta with an average of 27.2 points per game, while Dejounte Murray is second with an average of 21.0 points per game. Young is the leader in assists with an average of 10.9 dishes per contest.

Atlanta struggles on defense as the Hawks are 28th in points allowed at 123.0 points per game, 29th in field goal shooting percentage allowed at 50.1% and 25th in three-point shooting percentage allowed at 38.3%. Atlanta is averaging 13.1 offensive in 31.8 defensive rebounds for a total of 44.9 per game led by Clint Capela with an average of 10.4 per game Capela is the rim protector with an average of 1.7 blocked shots per game while Bogdan Bogdanovic is the leader in steals with an average of 1.4 per game.

Cleveland is playing well thanks in part to excellent defense

The Cleveland Cavaliers are scoring an average of 113.6 points per game which is 20th in the NBA. Atlanta is shooting 47.6% overall which is 15th and 35.4% from 3-point land which is 26th. The Cavaliers are shooting 76.7% from the free-throw line which is 22nd. Donovan Mitchell is the leading scorer for Cleveland with an average of 28.2 points per game and with Garland and Mobley sidelined, the second leading scorer is Caris LeVert with an average of 16 points per game. Mitchell is the leader in assists with an average of 5.8 per game.

Cleveland’s defense is its key to success as the Cavaliers are allowing an average of 110.3 points per game which is second-best in the NBA. Cleveland is holding opponents to 45.8% shooting overall which is fifth best and 35.4% shooting from 3-point land which is 9th best. Cleveland averages 11.3 offensive and 33.9 defensive rebounds per game for a total of 45.2, led by Jarrett Allen with an average of 10.2 boards per contest. Allen is the leader in blocked shots with an average of 1.0 per game and Mitchell is the leader in steals with an average of 2.0 per game.