Hawks Aim to Extend Winning Streak Against Cavaliers

Crucial home-and-home series between playoff-bound teams could impact seeding

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract basketball game, with sharp planes of red, yellow, black, wine, and gold colors colliding and overlapping to represent the competitive clash between the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.The high-stakes matchup between the Hawks and Cavaliers showcases the intensity of the NBA playoff race in the Eastern Conference.Memphis Today

The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers will face off in a pivotal home-and-home series over the next two days, with both teams jockeying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers currently hold the No. 4 seed, while the surging Hawks are the No. 5 seed, just one game ahead of the Raptors. Each team has won on the other's home court earlier this season, but their rosters have changed significantly since their last meeting in late November.

Why it matters

This series could have major implications for the NBA playoffs, as the Cavaliers and Hawks are battling for home-court advantage in the first round. The outcome of these games may determine whether Cleveland faces the top-seeded Pistons or the second-seeded Celtics in the next round, should they advance.

The details

Oddsmakers expect a high-scoring affair, setting the total at 236.5 points. The Cavaliers are slight 1.5-point favorites at home, despite the questionable status of star guard Donovan Mitchell due to an ankle injury. With James Harden and Max Strus expected to return for the Hawks, the focus could shift to the breakout performance of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who has been on a tear lately for Atlanta.

  • The Hawks and Cavaliers will play the first game of their home-and-home series on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The teams will then face off again on Friday, April 10, 2026 in Atlanta.

The players

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Hawks' starting point guard has been on a hot streak, averaging career highs of 20.8 points, 3.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game this season.

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' star guard is questionable to play due to an ankle injury, but his status could have a significant impact on the outcome of the series.

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What’s next

The outcome of this series could determine the Cavaliers' first-round playoff opponent, as they may prefer to face the Pistons over the Celtics if they can secure the No. 4 seed.

The takeaway

This home-and-home series between the Hawks and Cavaliers is a crucial late-season matchup that could have major implications for the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The hot shooting of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the potential absence of Donovan Mitchell will be key factors to watch as these two teams battle for positioning.