J.R. Smith leads Cavaliers to Game 1 win

Philips Arena, Atlanta – The Cleveland Cavaliers got a huge boost from J.R. Smith off their bench in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference against the Atlanta Hawks. Smith caught fire and torched the Hawks from beyond the arc for eight triples en route to his 28 points. He stepped up and did just enough to help LeBron James, who finished with 31 points and six assists, drop the Hawks in Atlanta.

Atlanta set up an early advantage in the first quarter, but the James-led Cavs would battle back in the second period. Both teams played to a standstill at the end of the first half, 51-51.

It was in the third quarter that Smith got into his shooting groove. Three minutes left in the period, J.R. just began knocking down shot after shot. Some of them were even well defended, but when a streaky shooter like Smith catches fire like that, there’s just no stopping him. Kent Bazemore tried to bring in some energy for the Hawks off the bench, but his efforts were negated by the Cavs. James sealed the win with a slam dunk in the dying minutes of the game.

Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 27 points, but only he and Bazemore were the lone bright spots for the team. The Hawks normally well-balanced scoring was noticeably absent in Game 1 with both Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll failing to contribute in double figures. To make matters worse for Atlanta Carroll suffered a knee injury and more information regarding his status will be made available after an MRI.

The Hawks beat the Cavaliers, 3-1 during the season, but for now the Cavaliers have managed to seize the initiative against the best team in the East during the regular season. Will James be able to take Cleveland to another NBA finals appearance or will the Hawks player spoiler to his plans?