Atlanta needs a miracle to stay in tourney

The Hawks lost their last game, 113-103, at Boston on Sunday, stopping a meager two-game win streak. They shot 40.9% in their last game and on the year, Atlanta’s offense is shooting 48% overall, eighth best in the NBA and averaging 123.6 points per game, second most. They are also averaging 13.9 three pointers per game and shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc. Their assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.73, 23^rd in the league.

On defense, Atlanta is giving up 121.1 points per game, allowing their opponents to shoot 49.1% from the field against them, the sixth highest mark in the game. Teams are averaging 13.5 three pointers and are shooting 36.8% from three versus the Hawks. They have a +1.6-rebound differential, with 44.9 rebounds ending up in their possession each night. The Hawks also average 8.9 steals and 4.8 blocks per game.

Trae Young scored a team-high 33 points in an effort to get by Boston on Sunday. The guard shot 12-27 from the field and 6-16 from three-point range. He added seven assists and five rebounds. Young leads the Hawks with 26.5 points per game. His 10.4 assists per game not only leads the team but are also second best in the NBA.

Cleveland quick to stop bleeding

The Cavaliers were quick to halt a two-game losing streak with a 105-102 win at home versus Toronto on Sunday. They shot 46.4% in that game, but game it to the free-throw line only six times. This season they have averaged 22 free-throw attempts per game, as well as 110.8 points per game, 22^nd in the NBA. They are shooting 47.5% from the field on the year and 35% from three-point range, averaging 11 three pointers per game. Their assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.77, 18^th in the league.

Defensively, the Cavs are allowing 112.8 points per night, 13^th best in the league. Opponents have shot 45.7% from the field and 38% from three-point range against them. They are giving up 12.6 three pointers and 18.6 free throws per game. On the glass, Cleveland is averaging 44.3 rebounds per game, with 10.3 coming on the offensive end. They also average 7.5 steals and 5.3 blocks per game.

After scoring just six points on Saturday, Darius Garland bounced back with a team-high 24 in Sunday’s win. He shot 10-16 from the field and 3-6 from three in the game, adding eight assists and two rebounds. Cleveland’s point guard is now averaging 19.4 points per game, second on the team, and his 5.7 assists are best on the Cavs.