Atlanta combines outside shooting with a decisive late offensive rebound
Onyeka Okongwu scored a season-high 29 points and collected 12 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114–111 at State Farm Arena on October 29 in the United States, October 30 in the Philippines. Atlanta moved to 3–3, while Cleveland dropped to 3–2.
Okongwu made 11 of his 17 field-goal attempts, including four of six from three-point range. His scoring stretched Cleveland's defensive responsibilities, while his work on the glass helped Atlanta win the rebounding contest 53–45.
The Hawks also received 25 points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 24, but Cleveland could not turn its final comeback attempt into a victory.
Okongwu's putback with 28.2 seconds remaining gave Atlanta a 112–109 advantage. That possession supplied a particularly valuable second chance in a game ultimately decided by three points, reinforcing the importance of his contribution around the basket as well as beyond the arc.
Atlanta finished 17-for-43 from three-point range, according to the box-score figures reviewed by SportsEthos. Okongwu supplied four of those makes without needing a high volume of attempts, giving the Hawks efficient scoring from a position Cleveland also had to account for inside.
The result brought Atlanta back to an even record. The useful takeaway from this performance is the combination behind the win: productive outside shooting, an eight-rebound advantage and a center who delivered a crucial late basket. Those contributions gave the Hawks enough room to survive a close finish.