Dennis Schroder had a big one for Atlanta in Game 1 with a match-high 27 points and also six assists, but wasn’t sighted almost as much in Game 2.
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They just turned to Channing Frye, who delivered the playoff game of his life with 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including 7-of-9 on 3-pointers, and seven rebounds.
The Cavaliers made an NBA-record 25 3-pointers in their Game 2 rout of the Hawks. Not against these Cavs, putting on as great a single-series shooting show as has ever been seen, and not with their best options seemingly helpless to stop the Cleveland onslaught. He cooled off in the second half finishing with 24.
Three other players scored at least 20 points for Cleveland: LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each had 24 points and Kevin Love had 21 points.
While it was a facetious question, Frye does have the potential to do this more often because he fits in nicely with head coach Tyronn Lue’s offense as a high-percentage three-point shooter.
Thabo Sefolosha is taking over as a starter on place of slumping Kyle Korver. The Cavaliers led the regular season series 3-0 and lead the playoff series 2-0.
The Cavs dominated the Hawks in rebounding with a 55-28 edge, including 18-6 on the offensive glass.
The Cavaliers outscored the Hawks by a basket, but still trailed, 91-85, after the third quarter of play.
With just five minutes remaining in the third term, Kyrie Irving knocked down their 22nd three-pointer of the contest to make history.
The Cavaliers overcame all their errors to play a near-flawless fourth quarter.
J.R. Smith, a 3-point machine the first two games of the series, took only four shots all night. Cleveland, piling on the 3-pointers, led by 36 at halftime and breezed to the win. Cleveland still made more – 21 on 39 attempts, 54%.
Atlanta was 16-of-34 on 3-point shots to keep the game close until the end when the Cavaliers defense and the pressure got to the Hawks.
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The Hawks aren’t at the level of the Warriors or Spurs, so it’s not time to proclaim the Cavaliers as the team to beat.
