Written by Dan Devine at YahooSports.com
LeBron James capped his postgame interview with TNT’s Lewis Johnson with seven simple words: “All right, I’m going to lay down.” He’d earned the rest, but that he’d needed to expend so much energy late despite his team holding an 18-point third-quarter lead suggests that theseAtlanta Hawks aren’t interested in a second straight meek postseason exit at the hands of theCleveland Cavaliers.
The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player checked just about every box on Monday, finishing with 25 points on 11-for-21 shooting, nine assists, seven rebounds and five steals in 40 1/2 minutes to lead the Cavs to a 104-93 win that gives Cleveland a 1-0 lead over visiting Atlanta in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Kyrie Irving added 21 points on 8-for-18 shooting, eight assists, two blocks and a steal against just two turnovers in the win. Power forward Kevin Love, who watched last year’s Eastern Conference finals matchup between these two teams in a suit after suffering a shoulder injury earlier in the postseason, spaced the floor, banged bodies and fought on the boards, working through a dismal 4-for-17 shooting night to finish with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
While the Cavs’ other two stars each made an impact — as did glass-eating center Tristan Thompson, designated gunner J.R. Smith, and veteran reserves Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye — it was James who led the way.
With his pinpoint fastball passing to keep the ball flying around the perimeter ahead of the Hawks’ defensive rotations, and his persistent attacking of the smaller Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha, James helped the Cavs take control early and maintain it for the bulk of the first three quarters. But after Atlanta roared back with a 16-4 run to close the third, took the lead with eight minutes to go in regulation, and stood tied with the East’s top seed midway through the fourth, James took the reins.
