Cavaliers vs. Hawks Recap: Atlanta Holds On, Six Plays Cash

Atlanta beat Cleveland 114-111. The Cavaliers led 28-16 after the first quarter, but the Hawks won the second 30-16 and the third 43-38 to take an 89-82 lead into the fourth. Cleveland won the final quarter 29-25 and could not get all the way back. Onyeka Okongwu led Atlanta with 29 points and 12 rebounds, and James Harden scored 24 for Cleveland. Six DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

ALT: Cavaliers +5.5 (-192 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: This was close to a pick-em (Cavs +1.5 on the main line), Cleveland had covered this number in 8 of its last 10, and both teams were on the second night of a back-to-back.
• What happened: Cleveland lost by 3, so the alt covered by 2.5.
• Worth watching: In a game priced this tight, moving the underdog out to +5.5 gave room for a one-possession loss. That is the case for an alt spread.

ALT: Donovan Mitchell 20+ points (-270 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Mitchell had cleared 20+ points in 9 of his last 10 games and 17 of his last 20. At -270 the price implied 73 percent against about 83 percent from recent games.
• What happened: He scored 22 in 33 minutes, 2.5 over, on 7-of-19 shooting. He made 1 of 9 threes but went 7-of-8 at the line.
• Worth watching: He cleared on a cold shooting night because he got to the line. That floor is what makes a 20+ alt on him worth a look.

James Harden 5+ rebounds (+115 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Harden had cleared 5+ rebounds in 7 of his last 10 games and 13 of his last 20. At +115 the price implied 47 percent against about 65 percent.
• What happened: He grabbed exactly 5 rebounds in 36 minutes, all on the defensive glass, and scored 24.
• Worth watching: It landed on the number. Plus-money rebound lines on a high-minute guard are worth a look, but expect thin margins.

ALT: Peyton Watson 2+ assists (-174 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: Watson had cleared 2+ assists in 9 of his last 10 games and 18 of his last 20.
• What happened: He finished with 3 assists in 22 minutes, 1.5 over.

Peyton Watson 7+ rebounds + assists (-138 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: He had cleared 7+ rebounds + assists in 8 of his last 10 and 15 of his last 20. At -138 the price implied 58 percent against about 74 percent.
• What happened: He had 4 rebounds and 3 assists for exactly 7. He played 22 minutes and picked up 5 fouls.
• Worth watching: Both Watson lines cleared on limited minutes. His minutes are the number to check before backing his combo lines.

ALT: Aaron Wiggins 10+ points (-229 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Wiggins had 10, 12, 16, 19 and 16 points in Atlanta's 5 games on 27 minutes a night.
• What happened: He scored 20 off the bench on 8-of-14 shooting and 4-of-7 from three in 24 minutes. That is 10.5 over, and he finished a team-best +17.
• Worth watching: He has now scored in double figures in every game this season. Bench scorers with that kind of floor are worth tracking at alt prices.

How the game played out

Atlanta shot 17-of-43 from three to Cleveland's 13-of-42 and had 15 offensive rebounds. Okongwu made 11 of 17 shots, including 4 of 6 threes, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 25. The Hawks led for 57 percent of the game, and there was only one lead change.

Trends to watch

• Mitchell took 8 free throws and 19 shots. That kind of volume gives his points lines a cushion when his jumper is off.
• Wiggins played 24 minutes off the bench and took 14 shots. His usage keeps his points line in play.
• Okongwu had 29 and 12 with 4 made threes. Watch his points and threes lines while his outside shot is falling.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. For more on these markets, see point spread and alt line, or get more at /nba.