May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the second quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
No Kyrie Irving, no Kevin Love…..no problem.
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business on Friday night, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 94-82, taking a 2-0 series lead.
The series is now shifting to Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for Game’s 3 and 4. Game 3 is set for Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. eastern on TNT.
After just two games, everyone in Cleveland is already thinking of a sweep. But is that a realistic expectation?
Here are 3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers will finish the sweep of the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals:
1. Atlanta has caught the injury bug
The Cleveland Cavaliers had several different injuries heading into this series, but now they aren’t the only team.
DeMarre Carroll suffered a gruesome injury at the end of Game 1, but thankfully it was not as serious as some feared, so he was able to play in Game 2.
Although Carroll played, he was obviously not 100%. While Carroll was playing injured, both Al Horford and Kyle Korver suffered injuries of their own. Korver is now out for the playoffs.
Horford bumped knees with Iman Shumpert, and Kyle Korver left the game with a sprained right ankle. Here is the play in which Korver’s injury took place:
Injuries are the worst.
Just ask the Chicago Bulls. They had lots of potential heading into the season, and many thought they could possibly reach the NBA Finals if they were healthy.
Key word: IF they were healthy. Unfortunately for them, they weren’t.
We all know how Chicago’s season ended….this video pretty much sums it up: