NBA PLAYOFFS: CONFERENCE FINALS-Eastern Conference

Cavs take control as James sparkles

Cleveland forward LeBron James (left) tries to get around Atlanta defender DeMarre Carroll in the second half of Friday’s game. James had 30 points and 11 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ 94-82 victory.
Cleveland forward LeBron James (left) tries to get around Atlanta defender DeMarre Carroll in the second half of Friday’s game. James had 30 points and 11 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ 94-82 victory.

ATLANTA -- Forget the Big Three.

photo

AP

Atlanta center Al Horford (15) is helped off the court after being injured during the second half of Friday’s game against Cleveland. Horford finished with 12 points and six rebounds in the Hawks’ 94-82 loss.

One is enough for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as long as it's the King.

At a glance

CONFERENCE FINALS

(Best-of-7 FRIDAY’S GAME

Cleveland 94, Atlanta 82

Cleveland leads series 2-0

TODAY’S GAME — All times Central

Golden State at Houston, 8 p.m.

Golden State leads series 2-0

SUNDAY’S GAME

Atlanta at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

LeBron James scored 30 points and the Cavaliers took total command of the Eastern Conference final even without injured star Kyrie Irving, beating the Atlanta Hawks 94-82 on Friday night for a 2-0 lead with the series heading to Ohio.

Cleveland pulled away with a dominating third quarter. James scored 11 points, the Hawks shot just 32 percent (7 of 22), and Cleveland led by as many as 20 before settling for an 84-66 lead.

This was a blowout in every sense.

The final margin, with a bunch of backups on the court, was as close as Hawks had been since midway through the third.

"How much does it help to have LeBron on your team?" Cavaliers Coach David Blatt said, repeating a question incredulously. "Do I really have to answer that?"

No need.

Irving was scratched before the game because of an ailing left knee. He wasn't missed a bit, as the Cavaliers cruised to their second consecutive victory in Atlanta.

James assumed many of the ball-handling duties, taking advantage of DeMarre Carroll clearly not being at 100 percent after he went down with a knee injury late in Game 1. Carroll started after being carried off the court just two nights earlier.

He wasn't the only one struggling. The Hawks were totally outclassed for one of the few times all season.

"In the playoffs, it takes more," Atlanta Coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It takes better execution, better screening. You've got to do things harder."

The Cavaliers can wrap up the best-of-seven series simply by winning at home. The next two are in Cleveland, beginning with Game 3 on Sunday night.

This is why James returned to his homestate after spending four years in south Florida, leading the Heat to two NBA titles. The Cavaliers, who have never won a championship, assembled a Miami-like Big Three with James, Irving and Kevin Love, but James is carrying the load with Irving sidelined and Love out with a season-ending injury.

James had a bit of help. Tristan Thompson grabbed 16 rebounds to spark Cleveland to a 47-39 advantage.

When Thompson dunked off a pass from James with just under five minutes remaining, the Cavaliers led 93-74 and many Atlanta fans began heading for the exits, surely sensing they had seen their team for the last time in this most unexpected season. Atlanta won a franchise-record 60 games to claim the top seed in the East, but the Hawks have been picked apart by the best player in the world.

James had 31 points in Game 1.

The Hawks had hoped that Carroll's appearance would provide an emotional boost. An injury that looked much more serious when he left the court in Game 1 turned out to be only a sprain, and he drew a big cheer from the crowd when he did his customary sprint across the court during the opening introductions.

But at less than full speed, Carroll had no chance trying to guard James, who made 10 of 22 shots including a two three-pointers. When the Hawks began collapsing toward the lane, trying to give Carroll help, James always seemed to fine the open man -- often lurking behind the three-point arc.

James had 11 assists, and the Cavaliers finished 12 of 30 beyond the arc. James also had nine rebounds. Iman Shumpert knocked down four three-pointers and finished with 16 points.

Dennis Schroder led the Hawks with just 13 points. Carroll played a team-high 33:47 but managed only six points -- 10 below his playoff average.

Carroll wasn't the only one hurting. Kyle Korver got his right ankle rolled going for a loose ball late in the third quarter and didn't return. Al Horford banged his knee early in the fourth and hobbled to the sideline, though he was able to come back.

Sports on 05/23/2015

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