May

10

James Gang Shoots Down Hawks 97-82! Cavaliers 3-0

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap, NBA Playoffs 

Those whom are long time observers of the Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James can usually tell when he is about to take over a game; just watch his face. His jaw juts out a little more the intensity increases in his gaze as he takes it up to that next level that mere mortals dare not tread near. That moment occurred at the beginning of the third quarter Saturday night as Cleveland led the Atlanta Hawks by just a single point coming back from half-time.

LBJ told the rest of the fellas to stay out of the way and very quickly the Cavaliers lead was up to 12 points. Atlanta would come back later in the period and regain the lead but once again “The Chosen One” strapped his team on his back as Cleveland took game three of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final series by a 97-82 margin.

The victory leaves the Cavaliers just one victory away from their second trip to the Conference Finals in the last three years. James recorded a double-double including a game high 47 points.

The opening period was relatively low scoring as Cleveland had a 22-18 lead at the end of the quarter. Atlanta cut the margin to a razor thin one point lead in the second. The Cavaliers would walk into the locker room at the half with the game up for grabs and them being on top 47-46.

Cleveland opened the third quarter up with an impressive offensive display and with 7:45 on the clock the score was 62-50. However the Hawks responded with a run of their own grabbing the lead 65-64 at the 3:45 mark when Al Horford drove the lane putting the ball up and in. 

Those would be the final points of the period for Atlanta as the Cavaliers shut them down and would be ahead 72-65 heading into the final period. The Hawks would never be that close again the rest of the night as Cleveland locked up the game early in the fourth and were never challenged for the balance of the period.

The NBA Most Valuable Player Award winner “King James“  put on a show for the crowd at Phillips Arena with 47 points, 12 boards, 8 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in the victory. Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 14 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist while Delonte West put 12 points on the scoreboard, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Mo Williams added 11 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds.

The Hawks shooting guard Joe Johnson paced his team with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Josh Smith scored 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks while Flip Murray had another strong game off the bench with 17 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal. Monday night will be either win or go home for Atlanta as Cleveland enters the game with a 3-0 series advantage.

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