Even if they manage to split in Atlanta, they would have to win the final three games-against a team they are 0-6 against in the last two postseasons-to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. May 6 in Atlanta.
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Smith made six 3-pointers in the first half – the Cavs knocked down seven straight during one dizzying stretch – as Cleveland built a 38-point lead over the stunned Hawks, who head home for Friday’s Game 3 down 2-0 in the series and utterly demoralized.
Cleveland put on the greatest shooting performance in National Basketball Association history, draining 25 3-pointers in a 123-98 win over the Atlanta Hawks, who could only watch in amazement as the Cavs rained down long-range shots from every corner of the floor in Game 2. Backups Richard Jefferson, Iman Shumpert.
A three-pointer for you Matthew Dellavedova, and a three-pointer for you Channing Frye.
“I thought at the end of the game we started chasing, but it was handsome to watch”, coach Tyronn Lue said.
“If you take away their 3’s we’re right in this.” the Hawks tweeted. They get out in front and they’re a totally different team. “I don’t believe in trying to hurt guys because they’re playing well”.
“For the last month and a half, this is pretty much how we’ve been playing”, Lue said.
The Hawks are second in the postseason with 31.6 3-point attempts per game.
While the Cavs cooled in the fourth quarter, going 3-of-11 from 3 in the final stanza, they started 22-for-34 (64.7 percent).
Part of that is because general manager David Griffin has constructed around James a squadron of shooters – the four-time MVP calls them “designated snipers” – who are capable of doing their damage from downtown.
“Outside of the threes I thought our defence was great”, he said. They’re moving the ball. They can’t put five guys on the floor who can all dribble, pass and shoot like the Warriors can.
“We’re going home. It’s one game”. In addition to passing Tim Duncan for fifth place on the career playoff scoring list, James played in his 184th postseason game, tying him with Robert Parish for 13th place in history.
It seems the only thing that could derail the Cavaliers is overconfidence, but Lue already delivered the message to make sure that does not happen. The team with ADD would lose focus at inopportune times and suffered bad losses to inferior opponents.
Love said the Cavaliers are prepared for a hostile reception from the Atlanta faithful.
James said following the game that the Cavaliers did not know that they were eclipsing in on the three-point record until it was announced on the arena PA that they had tied it. Its a tough matchup, Budenholzer said. Whether it’s Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love or Richard Jefferson or Channing Frye, everyone gets a shot.
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The Cavaliers, on the other hand, must continue to capitalize on their second-chance opportunities, stimulated by the offensive rebounding prowess of the newly appointed starting center, Tristan Thompson. “They have a lot of good players and they’re well-coached”.
