Click “Next” at the bottom of the page to see all the highlights from tonight’s game!
When it rains, it pours, and the Cleveland Cavaliers absolutely demolished the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead. It was a historic shooting clinic by the Cavs, who simply could not miss from outside. It was truly extraordinary display, as they set an NBA record of 18 made three pointers in a half, and broke the all time record for three pointers made in a game with 25 in both NBA regular season and playoff history.
The Hawks had a bright start early, but the assault was forthcoming, as the Cavaliers hit their stride midway through the first quarter and never looked back. The ball was moving, the three point shots were falling, and J.R. Smith was at the heart of it all. J.R. was on fire as he hit four three-pointers in the first quarter alone, finishing with 14 points after one. As a team, the Cavs finished the first quarter shooting an incredible 66.7% from three-point range en route to eight threes in the quarter. The Cavs registered their highest scoring quarter in the playoffs so far, as they took a 15-point lead into the second period 35-20.
LeBron led a small ball line-up to start the second quarter, and the domination was relentless. Their defense ramped up, causing 12 Hawks turnovers attributing to a 32-point lead through the quarter. The ball continued to move, the Cavs continued to run, and J.R. Smith continued to cash in, splashing another pair of three pointers in the period. It wasn’t just Smith however, because by the end of the period, the Cavs had seven different players registering at least one made three. LeBron being one of them, he was 3 of 4 from downtown at the break. The Cavs registered 18 assists through the first half, and at one point, made 12 straight baskets on assisted field goals, and set a franchise record for three pointers made in a quarter with eight. They finishing the period 18/27 from long range, it was an unbelievable half, and the Cavs led a demolition of the Hawks 74-38 after two.
To their credit, the Cavaliers kept their foot on the gas to start the second half. They stayed professional, wanting to finish the game off, and they did just that in the third period. With the final score the only thing to play for, the Cavs went on to open up a game high 41-point lead through the quarter. This enabled them to get all the starters out before the period had even ended. Kyrie Irving hit a pair of three pointers for the Cavs to tie the NBA record for threes in a postseason and then take the record for themselves. It was all formalities from that point on, with the third finishing 106-70.
Both benches were emptied in the fourth period and the Cavs ran away 123-98 winners.
It was a truly historic night for the Cavaliers, 10 players made at least one three pointer, and the Cavs broke multiple NBA and franchise records. They broke a franchise record for most points in a half with 75. J.R. Smith broke the franchise record for most threes made in a half by a player with six. They broke a franchise record for most three pointers in a quarter with 10 in the second period. They broke an NBA record of most threes made in a half with 18, and they broke the NBA record for most threes made in a game regular season and playoffs with 25. LeBron James also passed Tim Duncan for fifth place in playoff scoring in NBA history.
A perfect night, a remarkable display, and a performance that cements itself in Cavalier and NBA folklore. Cavaliers take a 2-0 series lead, heading to Atlanta for Game 3.
Click “Next” to see all the highlights from tonight’s game!
J.R. Smith and the Cavs come out firing, and Smith leads them with 14 points on 5-7 shooting and 4-6 from downtown in the first wuarter alone. Watch as he and the bench lose it as he goes off.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers set a playoff record with 18 three pointers in the first half. Watch as the Cavs shoot their way into the record books with 18 first half threes, six more than the previous record.
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