The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers will face off Wednesday night in a high-profile Eastern Conference matchup. These teams are currently slotted as the fourth and fifth seeds, and there is a strong chance they will meet in the opening round of the postseason.
The Cavaliers are 3.5-point home favorites with -155 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Hawks sit as a +130 underdog, with the game total set at 236.5 points.
You can check out a full preview and prediction for the matchup on DraftKings Network. But for now, let’s dive into the top player prop bets for Wednesday’s Eastern Conference clash.
Hawks vs. Cavaliers Best Prop Bets
Donovan Mitchell Over 24.5 Points (-114)
While the addition of James Harden has added a new layer to the Cavaliers, all conversations surrounding the team begin with Donovan Mitchell. The star guard is averaging 27.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, clearing 24.5 points in 46 of his 69 games.
Mitchell has especially shone against Atlanta. In his first two matchups with the Hawks, he went off for 37 and 42 points — two of his top-10 scoring performances this season. He’s also been in top form of late, erupting for 38 against the Pacers on Sunday and reaching 25 points in six of his last eight matchups.
Atlanta has more to play for from a seeding perspective, but the Cavaliers are still working to reach their apex ahead of the postseason. Expect Mitchell to lead the charge and approach this game with a score-first mentality, comfortably clearing the modest 24.5-point line once again.
James Harden Under 32.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-107)
On the other side of Cleveland’s backcourt, expect James Harden to struggle Wednesday night. In 24 games with the Cavaliers, the 11-time All-Star is averaging 20.5 points, 7.9 assists, and five rebounds — good for 33.4 combined points, rebounds, and assists per game. While he remains a basketball maestro and prolific scorer, Harden has struggled against high-level, athletic defenders. Atlanta’s identity is exactly that, and it will have multiple defenders to throw in Harden’s direction.
Harden cleared 32.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in both his games against the Hawks this season. However, both matchups were while he was still on the Clippers, and before Atlanta went through its midseason transformation. The Hawks enter Wednesday having won 18 of their last 21 contests and having held opponents to fewer than 110 points in four straight games.
Expect Atlanta to bring maximum effort as it fights to lock up the fifth seed in the East. Players like Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Zaccharie Risacher will each likely see some opportunities to match up with the former MVP, each holding a size and athleticism advantage. The Hawks are firing on all cylinders right now, especially on defense, and should swallow up Harden Wednesday night.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 20.5 Points (-114)
The Hawks brought in Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade transaction last summer, and he has flourished beyond expectations with his new franchise. The 27-year-old guard is averaging a career-high 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. He has cleared 20.5 points in 39 games this season, and he’s gotten even hotter down the stretch.
On Monday, Alexander-Walker exploded for 36 points against the Knicks. He has scored over 20.5 points in nine of his last 12 games, including three straight. He erupted for 30 points in his last meeting against Cleveland, though a lot has changed since November.
Cleveland has failed to meet expectations on defense with Evan Mobley at the core. The Cavs rank 14th in points allowed and 15th in defensive rating. Alexander-Walker, continuing to evolve and playing some of the best basketball of his career, should record over 20.5 points against Cleveland’s middling defense.
He may also be worth taking a shot on the alternate lines, such as 25+ points — which he has reached in three of his last five games — at +192 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
