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Cleveland Cavaliers: Three-point shooting was paramount to Game 3 success

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 19: George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 19: George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers blew out the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. They did so by finally connecting from behind the arc.

Coming into Game 3, Cleveland Cavaliers starting shooting guard JR Smith told the media that the Cavs role players needed to help LeBron James. James, who played “hero ball” in the first two games, got his much-needed help.

During Game 1, the Cleveland Cavaliers shot 15.4% from deep. Even in Game 2, the Cavs improved, over doubling their percentage, but they still couldn’t contain Boston’s energy at home. However, Game 3 was a completely different story as the Cavaliers blew out the Boston Celtics by 30 points.

Five. Yes, five Cavaliers were able to hit at least three triples. The team combined to shoot 17-for-34 from downtown.

The Cavs pass-first point guard George Hill was one of the several to step up in Game 3. Hill shot 3-for-9 from deep but forced the issue on offensively. Hill shot nine threes yet combined to shoot four triples in the series’ first two games.

Hill has seemed to step away from his normally aggressive self in the postseason, so seeing him offensively aggressive is a huge plus for Cleveland.

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JR Smith, along with Hill, stepped up in Game 3. When he’s shooting well, Smith has been paramount to Cleveland’s success. This postseason, the Cavs are 5-1 when Smith hits double figures. Smith, who was 3-for-4 from deep, helped break down the Celtics formidable defense.

As for the rest of the Cavs, Clarkson, who is somehow still in Lue’s rotation, drilled three from behind the arc. In eighteen minutes, Clarkson was one point shy of being Cleveland’s seventh player in double figures.

That said, the role in the victory that these three players had cannot go unnoticed.

Along with the always consistent Kyle Korver, these four went 13-for-24 from deep and helped combined to shoot 50% from deep as a team.

The Cavs are 3-0 this postseason when shooting over 40% from deep, so taking a thirty-point win at home in a seemingly must-win game was only fit for their first game shooting 50% from deep.

LeBron James, who was 3-for-3 from deep himself, helped the cause, but just like JR Smith said, the team needed to help James. James got the help tonight, and if this help continues into Game 4, expect another incredible game from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Even without half of these threes, the Cavaliers still would’ve won this game. While the Cavs insanely accurate three-point shooting might not have been the end all to their success, it very well could be in Game 4.

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If the Cavs continue to shoot like well, you can go ahead and pencil in a Game 4 victory