Losing 10 consecutive playoff games against Cleveland and facing a similar situation to the one they were in last season against the Cavs, eventually losing 4-0 in the conference finals, the Hawks need to find a way to both stop the outside shooting and find some sort of way to make things hard on both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
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Mo Williams added the final 3-pointer on the Cavs’ next possession.
Superstar forward LeBron James tallied 27 points and four of his teammates also scored in double figures as the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 123-98 victory here over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, setting a new record for 3-point field goals in the process. But what the Hawks didn’t realize is that the Cavs weren’t shooting those threes just to beat the Hawks. “At times you’re not going to make shots”.
The Cleveland Cavaliers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 as the Cavs-Hawks showdown moves to Atlanta for Game 3 and Game 4. But, that is yet to happen so far this series, as they dropped the first two games. In total, 10 of the Cavaliers’ 13 active players for the night knocked down at least one three on the night.
The league record for any game had been 23, set by Orlando in 2009 and matched by Houston in 2013.
“We’re not a 3-point shooting team”. “That’s a big question for us right now”, he said. “We’re a well-balanced team that’s capable of making 3s”. The Cavs are also playing splendid defense, which explains why most of the Hawks were struggling in game 2.
Once the Cavaliers’ offensive onslaught began at the end of the first quarter, the Hawks looked completely out of sync on both ends of the court.
I am more focused on what were doing, what we need to do going forward, the Hawks coach said.
Smith has been on a tear this postseason, and outside of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson he may be the most unsafe shooter from behind the arc once he gets hot. (10) in the second half during Game 2 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series, Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Cl.
The Cavs never did. Or maybe the Cavs are just so good that it doesn’t matter what the Hawks do.
The Cavs broke the league playoff record for 3-pointers on Irving’s shot from the corner midway through the third and tied it for any game when Iman Shumpert became the eighth Cleveland player to hit a three, his coming with 7:20 left.
Coach Tyronn Lue and the Cavaliers play Game 3 in Atlanta on Friday.
The Cavs hold a 2-0 lead as we head into game 3, picking up the series in Atlanta.
‘Tonight was a special night for all of us who played, ‘ he said. The Cavs get so many open looks thanks to James’ ability to drive and draw more than one defender before finding the open man.
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James is expected to lead the top team in the East, with Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, Kevin Love and Channing Frye.
