They hold a 2-0 lead in the second-round series entering Game 3 Friday in Atlanta.
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CLEVELAND (AP) – Your shot, Warriors.
The Cavaliers knocked down an incredible NBA-record 25 three-pointers in their 123-98 Game 2 win over the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. There were a couple questionable ones at the end, like the last one in the fourth quarter, but for the most part, I thought the guys did a good job of moving the basketball, hitting the open guy and we made shots. Cavs F LeBron James admitted he would like to face Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat, his old team, during the conference finals.
“This league has seen so many great teams, so many great players and great shooters, and for us to set an all-time record is truly special”, he said.
Kyrie Irving (19 points, 6 assists) and LeBron James (27 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals) both had four 3’s each while Kevin Love chipped in with three 3s of his own. Their arms were exhausted. Cleveland attempted 45 3-pointers – one shy of the playoff record set by Golden State last season.
Even the Cavaliers’ mascot Moondog got in on the fun, banking in a half-court shot over his head during the second half.
“I hope we can continue to do that”, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. Clearly chasing the record, Dahntay Jones sank his team’s 24th 3 with 21/2 minutes left, and Mo Williams poured salt in Atlanta’s wounds by knocking down another. The 25 made threes are the most in any game in regular season or postseason history. Stephen Curry and Co. now have a new bar to aim at.
Smith made six three-pointers in the first half as the Cavaliers built a 38-point lead over the stunned Hawks.
With their deep barrage, the Cavs outshot Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors and every other team who has ever taken aim at the rim from outside 22 feet.
After making Cleveland’s 16th 3-pointer in the first half, Smith skipped back on defense like a little kid on a schoolyard playground.
In the postgame show, Charles Barkley said that the Hawks should have taken out a Cavaliers player to make a statement.
The Cavaliers want to enjoy their three-point shooting record, but they don’t want to be labeled as a three-points hooting team. “We were up 40 points and we got our starters out with 4 minutes to go in the third quarter”.
Speaking of Bazemore, he thinks there’s an outside shot that the Hawks can hit 26 three-pointers in a game.
The Hawks are second in the postseason with 31.6 3-point attempts per game.
Beyond his shooting prowess, Smith has locked down Atlanta sharpshooter Kyle Korver in the first two games, limiting him to eight points and one 3-pointer.
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Not that it would have mattered much.
