Cleveland beat Washington 121-111 at home last night. Atlanta lost 129-117 to Miami at home. Both clubs are on the second night of a back-to-back, and they meet in Atlanta with very different moods.
The Cavaliers have won three straight. The Hawks have lost three straight and are 0-2 at State Farm Arena. Two Canadians start for Atlanta in this Cavaliers vs Hawks game: Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Toronto, and Luguentz Dort of Montreal.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Hawks in Canada
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Game | Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks |
| Date | Thursday 29 October 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00pm ET |
| Venue | State Farm Arena, Atlanta |
| Records | Cleveland 3-1, Atlanta 2-3 |
| Rest | Cleveland on the second night of a back-to-back, Atlanta on the second night of a back-to-back |
Sportsnet has the game in Canada. Our how to watch the NBA in Canada page covers streaming and the rest of the week’s listings.
Cavaliers vs Hawks odds
No Canadian sportsbook had priced this game when we wrote the preview. We don’t borrow American lines to fill the gap. Our NBA betting guide sets out which books operate in your province.
Cleveland has found a rhythm with Harden
The Cavaliers lost the opener 114-106 in Philadelphia. Since then they have beaten Brooklyn, Minnesota in overtime and Washington, all at home. Donovan Mitchell averages 24.8 points, and Evan Mobley had 24 and 12 rebounds last night.
James Harden, who arrived from the Clippers in February, is averaging 6.8 assists. Peyton Watson scored 22 against the Wizards, his best game since the trade that brought him from Denver.
How they compare
| 2025-26 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Atlanta Hawks |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 52-30 | 46-36 |
| Net rating | +4.0 | +2.3 |
| Offensive rating | 117.0 | 114.1 |
| Defensive rating | 113.0 | 111.8 |
| Pace | 102.1 | 103.8 |
| Three-point % | 36.0% | 37.1% |
Rates from last season. Cleveland was 1.7 points per 100 possessions better, and Atlanta played slightly faster.
Atlanta has lost three in a row
The Hawks won in Orlando and by 47 in Charlotte. Then Houston beat them twice in three days, and Miami won in Atlanta last night. Jalen Johnson nearly had a triple-double in that one: 12 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.
Alexander-Walker, last season’s Most Improved Player, scored 23 against the Heat and averages 19.6. Dort, who came over from Oklahoma City in July, has scored between seven and 11 in every game.
Last season’s series finished 2-2
| Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Apr 2026 | Atlanta 124-102 | State Farm Arena |
| 8 Apr 2026 | Cleveland 122-116 | Rocket Arena |
| 28 Nov 2025 | Atlanta 130-123 | State Farm Arena |
| 2 Nov 2025 | Cleveland 117-109 | Rocket Arena |
Each club won both of its home games. Three of the four totals landed between 226 and 238.
Recent form
Team news
| Club | Player | Status | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Henri Veesaar | Out, knee | No timetable |
| Atlanta | Mouhamed Gueye | Out, foot | No timetable |
Neither club had anyone listed as questionable this morning. Any rest decisions on the back-to-back would show on the official NBA injury report.
Every other club’s absences are on our NBA injury report.
Probable starting fives
Players to watch
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta. Thirty-one in Orlando on opening night, and 23 last night. He has shot 8-of-18 or better in four of five games.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland. Twenty points and 10 rebounds a game, and the main reason the Cavaliers have outrebounded three of four opponents.
Score prediction
Cavaliers 117-114 Hawks. Last season’s ratings make this close to even once Atlanta’s home court is added. Both teams are tired, so we lean on form: three straight wins against three straight losses.
Cavaliers vs Hawks prediction
The market has Atlanta as a narrow favourite. We think Cleveland’s form and size matter more on a night when both benches will be used.
Our pick: Cleveland to win, with the Cavaliers as underdogs or at -1.5 or shorter. We’re passing on the total. Last season’s meetings averaged 236, and the number we saw was 237.5, so there’s no edge to take.
Our player prop is Luguentz Dort over 7.5 points. He has scored 8, 9, 7, 11 and 8, clearing the line in four of five games, and he plays 19 to 28 minutes a night. Covers’ NBA prop board had 7.5 at 7:51 a.m. ET.
You’ll find Thursday’s other games on our NBA games tonight page, with tip-off times and the absences that could still change a game before it starts.
Tip-off is 8:00pm ET on Thursday 29 October 2026 at State Farm Arena, Atlanta.
Sportsnet carries the game in Canada, with streaming on Sportsnet+.
Yes, both are. Cleveland beat Washington and Atlanta lost to Miami on Wednesday.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, from Toronto, and Luguentz Dort, from Montreal.
Cavaliers 117-114. We back Cleveland to win, as underdogs or at -1.5 or shorter.
19+ (18+ in AB, MB and QC). Picks are opinion, not advice, and odds change constantly. Availability varies by province. Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 for Ontario residents; see your province’s helpline for resources elsewhere.