Hunter shines as Hawks top Cavs again

LOS ANGELES, United States — De'Andre Hunter scored 23 points off the bench as the Atlanta Hawks swooped for another NBA victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday (Saturday, Manila time) -- their second in two days over the Eastern Conference leaders.

The Hawks, who handed the Cavs their first home defeat of the season on Wednesday, came out on top at home, parlaying a 52-50 halftime lead into a 117-101 triumph.

Trae Young scored 21 points and handed out 11 assists and Jalen Johnson chipped in 20 points for Atlanta, who had six players score in double figures.

Darius Garland scored 29 points for Cleveland and Evan Mobley added 24 points for the Cavs, who opened the season on a 15-0 tear and at 17-3 still boast the best record in the league.

The Hawks held Cavs star Donovan Mitchell to 12 points and out-scored Cleveland 39-23 in the third quarter to take control for good in the contest that was one of 10 NBA Cup group stage games scheduled on the Thanksgiving holiday Friday.

The New York Knicks, buoyed by Jalen Brunson's fourth-quarter heroics, improved to 3-0 in Cup play with a 99-98 victory over the Hornets in Charlotte.

The Hornets challenged despite missing five of their top six scorers, with LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Tre Mann, Grant Williams, Mark Williams and Nick Richards all sidelined.

"Outside looking in, you're thinking they've got some key guys out, so this is supposed to be an easy game. That’s not how the NBA works," New York's Josh Hart told reporters after the game.

"When guys are out, and other guys get shots, they go out there and be aggressive because they've got nothing to lose, so sometimes that's the toughest game.

"So we're able to come out with a 'W' and end a long road trip with a win. Now we keep it moving."

Brunson scored 11 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, draining a pair of free-throws with 8.6 seconds left that pushed New York's lead to four points before Josh Green made a three-pointer for Charlotte as time expired.