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Cavs Vs Hawks: 5 Standout Stats From Game 1

By Omar Josef Guerrero

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It’s another historic night for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers as the Cavs Vs Hawks Game 1 resulted in a 97-89 win for the Wine and Gold. It’s the franchise’s first Game 1 win on the road after going 0-14 in their previous tries. J.R. Smith came off the bench to spark the Cavs in the second half, leading the bench in scoring at a time when literally no one else was making their shots.

The Hawks (60-22) and Cavaliers (53-29) represented the two best teams in the Eastern Conference and it was only fitting that these two met in the Conference Finals.  The Hawks came out breathing fire early, hitting on 61% of their shots in the first quarter but it was the Cavs who took homecourt advantage in the end with crushing team defense and sharp-shooting offense in the third and fourth quarters. The final stats show how Cleveland won this battle of the East’s best with both teams struggling to score for stretches at different times in the game. Ultimately, the Cavs Vs. Hawks Game 1 went Cleveland’s way and a 1-0 lead in the series.

1. LeBron James: 31 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steal

When history is made in these playoff games, chances are huge that the King will be in the conversation. James broke his tie with Michael Jordan (51) for most games with 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists with 52 such games. Chris Palmer also notes that it’s LeBron’s 39th game with at least 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, leading the league in that category with Jordan far behind in second place at 24, and Bird in third place with 20.

He also passed Patrick Ewing for 21st place in all-time playoff rebounds with 1,442 for his career. His 12 field goals also moved him past Jerry West for 7th all-time field goals made in the postseason.

James broke his tie with Michael Jordan (51) for most games with 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists with 52 such games.

LeBron scored 14 points in the second quarter, and made 8-of-12 shots for 16 points at the half, rallying the Cavs to tie the game by intermission. Despite the poor decision-making (too many isolation plays) toward the end of the game, he was able to get away from Paul Millsap to hammer down a tomahawk jam to give the Cavs a comfortable 6-point lead with 37.9 seconds to go.

2. J.R. Smith: 28 Points, 10-16 FGs, 8-12 3PT FGs, 8 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block

J.R. came off the bench and became its representative for the game, scoring all 28 bench points, a playoff career-high for the sweet-shooting guard. He also outscored the entire Hawks bench which scored only 19 points.

His eight three-pointers gave him the franchise record for most three-point field goals made in a game. Additionally, this was his 14th game with at least eight threes, an NBA record. The eight three-point makes are also second most in NBA playoff history for a reserve. Dallas’ Jason Terry had nine in 2011.

Yes, it was that kind of night for Smith as he swished three after three, giving the Cavs an insurmountable lead that they would never surrender. In the postgame interview, he practically dedicated his success to his parents whom he said he wanted to please the most.

3. CAVS: 49 Rebounds; HAWKS: 37 Rebounds

It was Tristan Thompson again who lorded it over the boards, grabbing 10 total with five of them coming from the offensive end.

May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) goes for a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Mozgov and James also contributed to the Cavs’ dominance in rebounding, grabbing 10 and 8, respectively. But the shooting guards also had a field day on the glass with Smith (8) and Iman Shumpert (7) getting more than their fair share of rebounds. It was a concerted effort by the Cavs also to keep the Hawks away from rebounds, doing a great job of boxing out and out-hustling them en route to a 12-rebound difference for the game and one of the two major stats that gave the team the win. The second major stat? Check it out below!

4. CAVS: 10-26 (38.5%) 3-Pt. FGs; HAWKS: 4-23 (17.4%) 3-Pt. FGs

When the three is going for the Cavs, they usually win and that was the case for Game 1 with J.R. Smith (yes, him again) making 80% of the team’s 10 threes.

Shumpert’s defense on Kyle Korver was key to the game, smothering the prolific bomber to the tune of two three-pointers out of only four attempts.

After Smith made his eighth three-pointer, the Hawks had very little emotional strength left to mount a comeback if not for the adrenaline rush that DeMarre Carroll’s injury gave the team. Kyrie Irving was the only other Cav to make one from downtown but even he only made 2 out of 3 as he re-injured his knee. Still, Irving’s threes were timely makes, giving the team the offensive support that the Cavs needed to stay close to the Hawks before taking the lead a few times in the first half. Shumpert’s defense on Kyle Korver was key to the game, smothering the prolific bomber to the tune of two three-pointers out of only four attempts.

5. Jeff Teague: 27 Points, 3 Rebounds, 4 Assists

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Teague was the lone bright spot for Atlanta as he lit up the Cleveland for 27 points, the only Hawks player who looked like he was ready for this game.

Teague was unstoppable in the first quarter with nine points and several quick moves to the basket that left Irving in the dust. The point guard came to play on a night when it seemed like he was the only consistent scoring option for his team. The Cavaliers had no answer for him all night. Forgive the four assists, Hawks fans, because his teammates couldn’t make baskets in the face of the Cavs’ stingy defense. If Teague keeps performing this well, the Cavs will be in big trouble down the road.

What Stat from Cavs Vs Hawks stood out to you?

Next: Injuries Hang Over Game 1