Hawks and Cavaliers Clash in Potential Playoff Preview

SportsLine's proven model reveals its NBA picks for Wednesday's matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:26am

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The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers, two teams vying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, will face off on Wednesday night in a potential first-round preview. The Hawks are coming off a close loss to the Knicks, while the Cavaliers are riding high after a big win over the Grizzlies. The Cavaliers are favored by 1.5 points at home, and the total points line is set at 235.5.

Why it matters

This matchup between the fifth-seeded Hawks and fourth-seeded Cavaliers could have significant implications for the upcoming NBA playoffs. Both teams are looking to secure favorable positioning, and a win could give one side an important edge heading into the postseason.

The details

The Hawks (45-34) have been solid on the road this season, posting a 22-17 record away from home. The Cavaliers (50-29) have been tough to beat at Rocket Arena, going 25-14 on their home court. The all-time series between the two teams favors the Hawks, who have won 133 of the 248 meetings, including four of the last six.

  • The game is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET.
  • The Hawks are coming off a 108-105 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday.
  • The Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 142-126 on Monday.

The players

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' leading scorer, projected to average 19.8 points in the simulation.

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' star player, projected to lead his team with 25.8 points, though he is questionable with an ankle injury.

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What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a favorable playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Hawks and Cavaliers is an important one, as both teams look to position themselves for a deep playoff run. The simulation suggests the Under is the value play, with the teams projected to combine for just 235 points.