The Cleveland Cavaliers have a clear game plan to help them beat the Atlanta Hawks, and it starts with Evan Mobley.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may have a winning record, but there’s still a vibe around the team that they haven't reached their full potential yet. A victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday evening could help get the team back on track.
With Hawks star Trae Young sidelined, there is a clear formula the Cavaliers can follow to help ensure a victory against their Eastern Conference foe.
Get Evan Mobley Involved Early
The Cavaliers need to help Evan Mobley regain some confidence on the offensive end and get him more involved in the game plan. During Cleveland’s loss to the Toronto Raptors earlier this week, Mobley only attempted seven shots.
That’s not a recipe for success, especially with the Cavaliers still dealing with a multitude of injuries and players not at full health. Hopefully, the Cavaliers can quickly get Mobley engaged by finding him shot down low or simply running the offense through him.
Cleveland needs Mobley to play like an All-Star if they want to beat the Hawks or simply unlock their full potential as a team.
Nov 2, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter (12) drives to the basket against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesWin The Rebound Battle
The Cavaliers aren’t a great rebounding team right now, and that isn’t a secret. What’s not a mystery either, though, is that the Hawks aren’t great on the boards, either. Atlanta is only grabbing 41 boards a game, while the Cavaliers are managing to bring in about 43.
The thing is, though, the Hawks have big bodies like Onyeka Okongwu, Kristaps Porzingis, and Asa Newell. Atlanta has the potential to be a threat on the glass, but the Cavaliers must stop that from happening, or the Hawks could be looking at plenty of second-chance point opportunities; something Cleveland can’t afford to give up.
Attack The Paint
Yes, the Hawks do have a few big men, but that doesn’t mean Atlanta is good at defending down low. In fact, the Hawks are allowing 51.5 points per game in the paint, which ranks in the back half of the NBA.
This is a weakness Cleveland should focus on exposing against Atlanta.
This could mean one of two things. First, the Cavaliers could prioritize getting the ball to their frontcourt deep in the defense, but it could also mean encouraging the guard to penetrate the defense and drive down low.