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Desperate Hawks host Cavs in Game 2 Friday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 5/22/2015  at  11:35:00 AM
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CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (62-31)

at ATLANTA HAWKS (68-27)

NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference - Finals
Tip-off: Friday, 8:35 p.m. ET
Line: Atlanta -1.5, Total: 196.5

The Hawks look to even up the series when they host the Cavaliers in Game 2 on Friday.

The Hawks were 2-point home favorites against the Cavaliers in Game 1, but Cleveland came away with a huge 97-88 victory. The Cavaliers were 10-for-26 from the outside and out-rebounded the Hawks 60-43. Atlanta will not stand much of a chance if they do not rebound the ball better on Friday. The team was also just 4-for-23 from the outside and for a group that relies on outside shooting, that type of display gives them pretty much no chance of winning as well. Prior to the loss on Wednesday, the Hawks had won five straight games at home against the Cavaliers SU. They will need to regain their composure and make sure that Cleveland doesn’t get comfortable in Philips Arena. The Cavaliers are 15-5 ATS after five straight games forcing an opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers over the past two seasons. The Hawks, however, are 16-6 ATS on Friday nights this year and 8-0 ATS in home games revenging a straight up loss versus an opponent as a home favorite over the past three seasons. PG Kyrie Irving (Knee) is questionable for the Cavs, who are already without PF Kevin Love (Shoulder) and C Anderson Varejao (Achilles) for the season. SF DeMarre Carroll (Knee) is questionable for the Hawks, but it’d be more surprising if he played than if he sat.

The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up a huge victory in Game 1 and SF LeBron James (26.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 7.7 APG, 1.8 SPG in playoffs) led the way with 31 points, eight boards, six assists and one steal in 38 minutes of action. James was dominant for Cleveland and should be able to play even better as the Hawks will not be as strong at the small forward position with DeMarre Carroll playing hurt or out. James needs to be aggressive as a scorer and also set his teammates up for some easy shots on Friday. He knows that if his team can win this game then it will be extremely difficult for them to not make it to the NBA Finals. PG Kyrie Irving (18.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG in playoffs) has been playing injured for Cleveland. He is questionable for this game as he is still experiencing a lot of pain in his left knee, but he did have 10 points and six assists on Wednesday. Any shots he can hit will help the team, as too much focus has been on stopping James with the rest of his team depleted. SG J.R. Smith (13.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.3 SPG in playoffs) was the spark that the Cavaliers needed in Game 1. He outscored the entire Hawks bench by himself, pouring in 28 points with eight rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal on 10-for-16 shooting from the field and 8-for-12 shooting from behind the arc. The team needs him to be effective as a scorer the rest of the way. C Timofey Mozgov (8.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG) had a good game for the Cavaliers, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes. He’ll need to continue to use his body to make things tough on Al Horford.

The Hawks made a late push at the end of Game 1, but they were unable to ever regain the lead and must now win Game 2 or the series will be over fast. PG Jeff Teague (16.2 PPG, 7.2 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.6 SPG in playoffs) played one of his best games in the playoffs so far, finishing with 27 points, four assists and two steals in 39 minutes of action. He went right after the injured Kyrie Irving and will need to continue to take advantage of whoever is playing the point for Cleveland this series. He must, however, take better care of the basketball as he had two crucial turnovers late in the game that deflated his team. PF Paul Millsap (15.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG in playoffs) struggled offensively in Game 1, going 3-for-11 from the field with 13 points. He was good on defense though and could need to guard LeBron James if SF DeMarre Carroll (16.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG in playoffs) is unable to play. SG Kyle Korver (11.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG in playoffs) finally played a solid game for the Hawks. Korver had nine points, seven boards and three assists on 3-for-5 shooting from the field in Game 1. He’ll need to keep hitting shots for his team to have a chance at advancing. C Al Horford (15.6 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.6 BPG in playoffs) had 16 points and seven boards on 8-for-12 shooting in Game 1. He’ll need to be even better offensively with Carroll out and Millsap likely tired from covering James.


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