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ATLANTA
CLEVELAND |
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190
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Final
114 |
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| Eastern Conference - Finals - Best of 7 - Game 3 - CLE Leads 2-0 | | |  | |
| 511 | ATLANTA | 190 | 189.5 | | 512 | CLEVELAND | -8.5 | -9 |
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| All Games | 68-28 | +24 | 54-39 | 47-48 | 101.8 | 50.9 | 46.1% | 49.2 | 96.9 | 47.6 | 43.7% | 51.4 | | Road Games | 28-19 | +5.4 | 26-18 | 25-22 | 101.6 | 49.9 | 45.6% | 49.3 | 99.2 | 47.2 | 43.8% | 53.0 | | Last 5 Games | 3-2 | +0.3 | 2-3 | 1-4 | 90.4 | 50.2 | 43.4% | 49.8 | 92.8 | 49.2 | 41.1% | 57.2 | | Playoff Games | 8-6 | -2.8 | 5-9 | 5-9 | 97.7 | 50.7 | 43.3% | 52.6 | 95.6 | 48.1 | 42.7% | 53.9 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 101.8 | 50.9 | 38-82 | 46.1% | 10-27 | 37.2% | 16-21 | 77.8% | 49 | 9 | 26 | 18 | 9 | 13 | 5 | | vs opponents surrendering | 99.8 | 50 | 37-83 | 44.8% | 8-23 | 35.1% | 17-23 | 74.8% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Road Games) | 101.6 | 49.9 | 38-83 | 45.6% | 10-26 | 37.4% | 16-21 | 76.9% | 49 | 9 | 25 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 5 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 96.9 | 47.6 | 36-83 | 43.7% | 9-25 | 34.5% | 15-20 | 75.7% | 51 | 11 | 23 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 5 | | vs opponents averaging | 99.1 | 49.8 | 37-83 | 44.7% | 8-22 | 34.7% | 17-23 | 74.6% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 99.2 | 47.2 | 37-84 | 43.8% | 9-26 | 35.2% | 17-22 | 76.7% | 53 | 12 | 24 | 20 | 7 | 16 | 5 |
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| All Games | 63-31 | -3 | 46-48 | 38-55 | 102.6 | 53.3 | 45.5% | 52.2 | 97.7 | 49.5 | 45.0% | 49.1 | | Home Games | 35-11 | -4.6 | 23-23 | 19-27 | 103.4 | 54.9 | 46.7% | 52.5 | 96.0 | 47.5 | 43.7% | 48.3 | | Last 5 Games | 5-0 | +5.7 | 3-2 | 1-4 | 95.4 | 53.2 | 43.8% | 55.0 | 85.6 | 46.6 | 39.7% | 47.2 | | Playoff Games | 10-2 | +7.7 | 7-5 | 4-8 | 98.9 | 54.1 | 43.3% | 54.2 | 91.3 | 46.8 | 41.2% | 49.8 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 102.6 | 53.3 | 37-82 | 45.5% | 10-28 | 36.4% | 18-24 | 75.4% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 13 | 5 | | vs opponents surrendering | 99.7 | 49.8 | 37-84 | 44.7% | 8-22 | 34.9% | 17-23 | 75.0% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Home Games) | 103.4 | 54.9 | 38-81 | 46.7% | 10-27 | 38.4% | 18-23 | 75.2% | 53 | 11 | 24 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 5 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 97.7 | 49.5 | 38-83 | 45.0% | 8-22 | 33.6% | 15-20 | 75.3% | 49 | 11 | 23 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 5 | | vs opponents averaging | 99.5 | 49.5 | 37-84 | 44.6% | 8-22 | 34.8% | 17-23 | 75.2% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 96.0 | 47.5 | 37-84 | 43.7% | 8-23 | 35.0% | 15-19 | 75.8% | 48 | 11 | 24 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 4 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: ATLANTA 95.3, CLEVELAND 95.1 |
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| 4/15/2015 | @ CHICAGO | 85-91 | L | 5 | L | 197.5 | U | 36-92 | 39.1% | 49 | 15 | 31-77 | 40.3% | 59 | 21 | | 4/19/2015 | BROOKLYN | 99-92 | W | -11 | L | 204.5 | U | 34-79 | 43.0% | 44 | 14 | 36-79 | 45.6% | 52 | 17 | | 4/22/2015 | BROOKLYN | 96-91 | W | -9 | L | 202.5 | U | 35-90 | 38.9% | 53 | 8 | 35-78 | 44.9% | 55 | 16 | | 4/25/2015 | @ BROOKLYN | 83-91 | L | -3.5 | L | 199 | U | 32-90 | 35.6% | 61 | 15 | 32-83 | 38.6% | 57 | 15 | | 4/27/2015 | @ BROOKLYN | 115-120 | L | -6 | L | 198 | O | 46-95 | 48.4% | 62 | 16 | 46-96 | 47.9% | 49 | 9 | | 4/29/2015 | BROOKLYN | 107-97 | W | -9 | W | 200 | O | 40-83 | 48.2% | 55 | 11 | 37-78 | 47.4% | 37 | 12 | | 5/1/2015 | @ BROOKLYN | 111-87 | W | -5 | W | 198.5 | U | 43-85 | 50.6% | 52 | 11 | 31-85 | 36.5% | 53 | 15 | | 5/3/2015 | WASHINGTON | 98-104 | L | -5.5 | L | 198 | O | 37-98 | 37.8% | 58 | 11 | 38-91 | 41.8% | 62 | 6 | | 5/5/2015 | WASHINGTON | 106-90 | W | -9.5 | W | 199 | U | 37-85 | 43.5% | 54 | 10 | 35-82 | 42.7% | 50 | 16 | | 5/9/2015 | @ WASHINGTON | 101-103 | L | -4 | L | 196.5 | O | 36-81 | 44.4% | 49 | 10 | 37-78 | 47.4% | 54 | 13 | | 5/11/2015 | @ WASHINGTON | 106-101 | W | -4.5 | W | 198 | O | 41-87 | 47.1% | 48 | 13 | 38-85 | 44.7% | 53 | 16 | | 5/13/2015 | WASHINGTON | 82-81 | W | -7 | L | 201 | U | 34-83 | 41.0% | 59 | 23 | 33-88 | 37.5% | 52 | 19 | | 5/15/2015 | @ WASHINGTON | 94-91 | W | 2.5 | W | 197 | U | 36-84 | 42.9% | 53 | 15 | 34-93 | 36.6% | 65 | 11 | | 5/20/2015 | CLEVELAND | 88-97 | L | -2 | L | 199.5 | U | 34-77 | 44.2% | 43 | 12 | 37-84 | 44.0% | 60 | 12 | | 5/22/2015 | CLEVELAND | 82-94 | L | -3.5 | L | 193 | U | 33-79 | 41.8% | 46 | 11 | 33-76 | 43.4% | 56 | 12 | | 5/24/2015 | @ CLEVELAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/26/2015 | @ CLEVELAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 4/15/2015 | WASHINGTON | 113-108 | W | -8 | L | 190.5 | O | 43-91 | 47.3% | 54 | 16 | 42-97 | 43.3% | 60 | 13 | | 4/19/2015 | BOSTON | 113-100 | W | -12 | W | 204 | O | 37-82 | 45.1% | 57 | 12 | 37-79 | 46.8% | 41 | 14 | | 4/21/2015 | BOSTON | 99-91 | W | -11 | L | 205.5 | U | 34-76 | 44.7% | 57 | 18 | 33-85 | 38.8% | 42 | 11 | | 4/23/2015 | @ BOSTON | 103-95 | W | -6.5 | W | 204.5 | U | 38-84 | 45.2% | 54 | 11 | 36-82 | 43.9% | 50 | 15 | | 4/26/2015 | @ BOSTON | 101-93 | W | -6.5 | W | 201.5 | U | 31-78 | 39.7% | 59 | 8 | 33-85 | 38.8% | 64 | 14 | | 5/4/2015 | CHICAGO | 92-99 | L | -4.5 | L | 195 | U | 34-81 | 42.0% | 45 | 9 | 40-80 | 50.0% | 51 | 10 | | 5/6/2015 | CHICAGO | 106-91 | W | -5.5 | W | 194.5 | O | 37-83 | 44.6% | 59 | 8 | 32-79 | 40.5% | 48 | 12 | | 5/8/2015 | @ CHICAGO | 96-99 | L | 2.5 | L | 194.5 | O | 32-82 | 39.0% | 45 | 11 | 34-90 | 37.8% | 66 | 7 | | 5/10/2015 | @ CHICAGO | 86-84 | W | -3 | L | 194 | U | 29-75 | 38.7% | 52 | 15 | 32-89 | 36.0% | 53 | 8 | | 5/12/2015 | CHICAGO | 106-101 | W | -5.5 | L | 190.5 | O | 40-79 | 50.6% | 47 | 11 | 34-86 | 39.5% | 53 | 8 | | 5/14/2015 | @ CHICAGO | 94-73 | W | 2.5 | W | 192 | U | 33-79 | 41.8% | 60 | 11 | 30-80 | 37.5% | 41 | 7 | | 5/20/2015 | @ ATLANTA | 97-88 | W | 2 | W | 199.5 | U | 37-84 | 44.0% | 60 | 12 | 34-77 | 44.2% | 43 | 12 | | 5/22/2015 | @ ATLANTA | 94-82 | W | 3.5 | W | 193 | U | 33-76 | 43.4% | 56 | 12 | 33-79 | 41.8% | 46 | 11 | | 5/24/2015 | ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/26/2015 | ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | ATLANTA: GUARDS: Considering he was almost gone a year ago, the Hawks are thankful JEFF TEAGUE is still in town. He may never be a great shooter, but he gets wherever he wants on the floor . . . KYLE KORVER is still the NBA's premier shooter, and he's shown no signs of relinquishing that title . . . THABO SEFOLOSHA gives the Hawks a defensive option to complement Korver. He looked worn down last season though, eventually falling out of OKC's rotation . . . KENT BAZEMORE gives Atlanta some more offensive firepower off the bench . . . DENNIS SCHRODER showed flashes of that Rajon Rondo Lite promise last year. Don't be surprised to see him paired with Teague in some lineups . . . There's no guarantee JOHN JENKINS will ever be the same after back surgery. FORWARDS: PAUL MILLSAP has developed into a capable co-alpha, along with Jeff Teague. In addition to his low-post work, he's developed a three-point shot and the ability to work off the dribble . . . DeMARRE CARROLL is trying to add a three-point shot to his repertoire. It would give him a big boost in offensive value to go along with his defense and all-around hustle . . . ADREIAN PAYNE will provide some much-needed depth at the 4 and 5 spots. He's NBA-ready, especially with his ability to pull opposing big men away from the basket with his shooting . . . MIKE MUSCALA gives them another big man who can shoot it, but he's not athletic enough to hold his own in the NBA. CENTERS: Will AL HORFORD ever stay healthy? He's an All-Star when he is. His recent injuries have been a bit fluky, but it's going to be tough to trust him . . . PERO ANTIC proved to be a capable stretch-5 last year, but the arrival of Payne will likely push him out of the rotation. |  | CLEVELAND: GUARDS: KYRIE IRVING will play off the ball more. With defenses keying on LeBron James, Irving should become a more efficient scorer . . . DION WAITERS will start for the Cavaliers at shooting guard. He shows flashes of brilliance on offense, but like Irving, doesn't play defense . . . MIKE MILLER reunites with James as a part-time floor spacer . . . JOE HARRIS' deep shooting makes him a possible long-term replacement for Miller. FORWARDS: LeBRON JAMES is the MVP favorite. He'll fill up the stat sheet while having these Cavaliers in a position to win every single night . . . KEVIN LOVE is one of the game's premier power forwards. He should have plenty of open looks this season, as he plays off of James. He'll also rack up rebounds . . . TRISTAN THOMPSON's switch from shooting left-handed to righty last season went well. He's a solid two-way player who should see time at center as well . . . SHAWN MARION will be a swiss-army knife off the bench for the Cavs. He can do a little bit of everything and will allow James to get a little rest this season. . . JAMES JONES followed James to Cleveland. He'll see minutes in a handful of games as a three-point specialist. CENTERS: ANDERSON VAREJAO stayed relatively healthy last season, and the Cavs will need him considering their thin rotation up front. He never developed much of an offensive game, but his energy, defense and rebounding fit well alongside Thompson and James. Because of this information, no power rating or computer score edges are posted for this game. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW (ATLANTA-CLEVELAND) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Fixes typo in PEACEMAKER section.)
*Hawks-Cavaliers Preview* =========================
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
Atlanta At Cleveland, Game Three, 8:30 p.m. EDT
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) - Kyrie Irving plopped down on a courtside bench following a brisk workout and two team trainers quickly went to work adjusting straps on his new knee brace.
The Cavaliers, completely in command of the Eastern Conference finals, may soon be closer to full strength.
Irving made some cuts and drives while wearing a brace on his left knee Saturday and the Cavs said the All-Star guard is questionable for Sunday's Game 3 against Atlanta. While Irving remains iffy, he hasn't been ruled out and that's an improvement after he sat out Friday night as Cleveland took a 2-0 lead with a 94-82 win over the hobbled Hawks.
Irving aggravated tendinitis during Game 1, and after visiting renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Friday in Florida, the Cavs rested one of their stars. Cavs coach David Blatt said Irving's status for Sunday will be a medical decision and won't be affected by Cleveland's seeming stranglehold on the series.
"If he's able to play, then he'll play," Blatt said. "He's a big part of the team, and this series is not finished. But if he's not able to play, he won't. That's the determining factor."
Meanwhile, the Hawks lost starter Kyle Korver, their best outside shooter, for the remainder of the postseason with a severely sprained right ankle.
It's another damaging blow to the Hawks, the East's top seed who were soundly outclassed on their home floor by LeBron James and the Cavs. Not having Korver makes things even tougher.
"He's a huge part of our leadership, our fabric, our fiber," coach Mike Budenholzer said about Korver, injured while scrambling for a loose ball in Game 2.
Atlanta has already been diminished by forward DeMarre Carroll's sprained knee. Nicknamed the "Junkyard Dog," he was supposed to be the one to keep James under control. But through two games, the Cleveland superstar has taken the bite out of Carroll and dominated.
James came within one rebound of a triple-double in Game 2, when he once again carried his team the way he has throughout his career. With Kevin Love out for the postseason following shoulder surgery and Irving not himself, it's fallen on James to pick up the slack by rebounding more, handling the ball more, doing more of everything.
And, as is usually the case, he's delivered. James is averaging 30.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists in the series.
"There's no doubt we have to do a better job defending him, both individually and as a team," Budenholzer said. "We've got to do a better job taking away the passing lanes, a better job arriving on the pass and a better job contesting shots. That's really not any different than what it was coming into the series. But as you see it, experience it, feel it, hopefully we'll get better as the series goes on."
The Hawks are running out of time, and history is not on their side.
James has been up 2-0 in a series 14 times and he has closed out all 14.
Although the Cavs have the Hawks on the ropes, James knows they're dangerous. Cleveland's two road wins have not given James any sense of security.
"We're just as desperate as we were in Game 1 and Game 2," he said.
The Hawks, though, are more distressed.
TALK THE TALK: James was wired with a microphone in Game 2 and was heard telling Irving, "I told you I got your back, G" after Cleveland's win.
James explained what he meant.
"I told him before the game," James said. "`That's why we're a team. That's why it's next man up. And that's what I'm here for and I got your back in whatever decision that you decide to make and know that we're ready for you whenever you decide to come back, whenever you're ready physically and mentally to come back."'
MOVING PIECES: Budenholzer said he hasn't decided who will start in place of Korver. One option is Kent Bazemore, who raised some eyebrows after Game 2 when he said, "I still think we're the better team. We just haven't shown it yet."
PEACEMAKER: James urged Cleveland residents to remain calm and channel any anger in a positive way after a judge acquitted a white police office of manslaughter charges following the 2012 shooting deaths of two unarmed blacks.
"Violence is not the answer," he said. "For the city of Cleveland, let's use our excitement or whatever passion that we have for our sport for the game tomorrow night, bring it tomorrow night."
James made similar comments following racially-charged cases in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York. But this one hits close to home, and James believes he and the Cavs can help the healing process.
"It doesn't matter what city it is, something that's going through a city that's very traumatic, traumatizing or anything of that case, I think sports is the biggest healers in helping the city out," he said.
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| | Last Updated: 5/8/2024 12:39:36 PM EST. |
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