Dose: LeBron Dominates Hawks
Cavaliers 114, Hawks 111 (Cavs lead series 3-0)
The Hawks may have been the best team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, but the Cavaliers have had their way with them so far in this series. To be fair, Atlanta did play much better on Sunday and pushed Cleveland to the brink, but they eventually fell in overtime at the hands of LeBron James.
However, there was no shortage of controversy as Al Horford was ejected before the half for an altercation with Matthew Dellavedova. In case you missed it, Dellavedova appeared to intentionally undercut Horford as he tried to collect a rebound, and Horford retaliated in the heat of the moment by landing on top of him and extending his elbow towards Dellavedova’s neck. You could argue that Horford thought that Dellavedova was trying to injure him, and it’s probably not the craziest thought after what happened to Kyle Korver in Game 2 as well as Taj Gibson in the previous round. I’m not suggesting that Dellavedova is a dirty player, but it’s obvious that his rugby roots run deep. For what it’s worth, the league will review the incident, but I’d be shocked if a suspension is handed out.
LeBron James reminded everyone that he was human when he started just 0-of-10 from the field in the win, but he eventually turned things around and helped his team take a commanding 3-0 series lead. James finished with a line of 37 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists, three steals and one 3-pointer (first player to ever record that type of line in NBA postseason history), but he looked exhausted towards the end of the game and he unfortunately tweaked his knee. James has been battling a variety of ailments for a while now, but I’m not worried about him missing any action with the Hawks on the ropes. As always, keep an eye on the injury report just in case.
Despite all of the drama, Matthew Dellavedova did have a superb game on Sunday as he finished with 17 points, three boards, two assists and four 3-pointers in 45 minutes in another start for the injured Kyrie Irving. James was constantly double teamed which allowed some open looks for Dellavedova, and he certainly wasn’t shy as he attempted 15 total shots (making five of them). The Cavaliers probably feel like they can continue to err on the side of caution with Irving since they have such a comfortable lead, so Dellavedova could find himself starting again in Game 4.
Tristan Thompson didn’t have the best stat line on Sunday with 10 points, seven boards and two blocks, but he had a huge block on Mike Scott in the closing moments of the fourth quarter which kept the Cavaliers alive. He also snagged an offensive rebound that led to James’ go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime, so it’s safe to say that his fingerprints were all over this game.
Iman Shumpert was fantastic with 15 points, seven boards and four 3-pointers, and it’s possible that he could continue to be more aggressive on offense since he doesn’t have to chase Kyle Korver around the court anymore. J.R. Smith double-doubled with 17 points, 10 boards, three 3-pointers and two blocks, while James Jones contributed nine points, five assists, three boards and two 3-pointers in 23 minutes off the bench.
Jeff Teague had a lot to prove after his disastrous performance in Game 2, and he bounced back nicely with 30 points, seven assists, six boards, three treys, one block and a steal. Teague played under control throughout the game and didn’t have any turnovers, and he even hit a clutch step-back jumper to put the Hawks up by two with less than a minute to go. Unfortunately for Teague, the Hawks were unable to hang on and they now find themselves facing an elimination game on Tuesday in Atlanta.
Similar to Teague, Paul Millsap was slumping heading into Sunday’s game, as he scored just four points with five boards in Game 2. He broke out of his funk with 22 points, nine boards, one steal and a 3-pointer in the loss on Sunday, and he also connected on all 11 of his free throws. Regardless of what happens in this series, Millsap is set to become a free agent this summer, so he will have plenty of motivation to go out on a high note.
DeMarre Carroll continued to play through his knee injury and scored 10 points with three boards, two assists, two steals, one block and two 3-pointers, but it’s obvious that he is hurting out there. Carroll admitted before the game that he was “nowhere near” 100 percent, but you have to admire his toughness. Carroll is also going to be a free agent this summer, and his stock has only continued to rise with the grit and determination that he has shown in the playoffs.
Kent Bazemore started for Kyle Korver and finished with 14 points, seven boards, three assists, three steals, one block and two 3-pointers in 43 minutes, so owners in daily leagues should strongly consider him again in Game 4. Shelvin Mack took Dennis Schroder’s spot in the rotation and ended up playing 28 minutes, finishing with 13 points, four boards, three assists, one steal and three 3-pointers, but he did miss two key shots that would have tied the game in the final seconds. Schroder has been struggling mightily, so it looks like Mack could continue to see minutes as long as the Hawks stay alive. Game 4 will take place in Cleveland on Tuesday.
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