NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference - Finals
Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:35 p.m. ET
Line: Cleveland -8.0, Total: 194.0

The Cavaliers will be going for a sweep of the Hawks when the teams meet in Cleveland Tuesday.

The Hawks fought until the very end of Game 3, but they were unable to pick up what would have been a huge victory. The Cavaliers edged them out 114-111 in an overtime win as 8-point home favorites and will now be looking to eliminate Atlanta on Tuesday. The Cavaliers shot an impressive 14-for-36 from the outside in Game 3 and also outrebounded the Hawks 68-54. They have outrebounded Atlanta in every game this series and the Hawks likely will not win a game until they win the battle on the glass. The Cavs are 2-1 both SU and ATS when hosting the Hawks since the start of 2014. Atlanta is 15-3 ATS when playing with double revenge (two straight losses) versus an opponent this season. Cleveland, however, is 23-10 ATS after five straight games allowing a shooting percentage of 42% or less over the past two seasons. SGs Kyle Korver (Ankle) and Thabo Sefolosha (Fibula) are out for the season for the Hawks. PG Kyrie Irving (Knee) is doubtful for the Cavaliers, who are already without PF Kevin Love (Shoulder) and C Anderson Varejao (Achilles) for the season.

The Hawks will be playing for pride on Tuesday, as they are facing a sweep after dominating the Eastern Conference during the regular season. PG Jeff Teague (16.8 PPG, 7.1 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.5 SPG in playoffs) was excellent in Game 3 and will need to come with the same intensity on Tuesday. He had 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the loss and carried his team when C Al Horford (15.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.5 BPG in playoffs) was ejected. Horford, however, was not suspended and will return for Tuesday’s game. He had 14 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes before having to exit the game and will need to be at the top of his game in order for the Hawks to steal this win in Cleveland. It will be very important for Horford to keep his composure in this one, as his team needs him on the floor. PF Paul Millsap (15.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.7 SPG in playoffs) had 22 points and nine rebounds in Game 3. He was 5-for-11 from the floor and 11-for-11 from the charity stripe and his teammates will need to find him more often in Game 4. He was giving the Cavaliers all types of problems offensively and Atlanta should try to feature him on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers will be going for a sweep on Tuesday and that is because of the brilliant play of SF LeBron James (27.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 8.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG in playoffs). James had 37 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists and three steals in Game 3 and went 14-for-27 from the floor after starting the game 0-for-10. The Hawks have no match for James and he’ll need to continue to attack the basket at will until the Cavaliers eventually eliminate Atlanta. PF Tristan Thompson (8.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG in playoffs) had 10 points and seven boards in Game 3. He got timely rebounds whenever the Cavaliers needed him to and is really coming into his own in these playoffs. He must continue to control the glass moving forward for Cleveland. SG J.R. Smith (13.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG in playoffs) had 17 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3. He has been huge in this series and with the help of SG Iman Shumpert (10.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG in playoffs), the shooting guard position for Cleveland has turned into a major advantage in this series. The two of them will need to continue to bring energy to the team and compete on both ends of the floor.