Here are the key players and five observations from the Hawks’ 104-93 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series Monday:
Three key players
Dennis Schroder: The Hawks reserve point guard scored a game-high and career playoff-high 27 points. He was 10 of 20 from the field, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range. He had five turnovers, including two in the fourth quarter.
LeBron James: The Cavaliers star had a team-high 25 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Kyrie Irving: The Cavaliers guard had 21 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, after losing the lead.
Five observations
1. Can’t finish
It’s been the Hawks’ sad story. They came back from an 18-point deficit and actually took a fourth-quarter lead. After the score was tied at 86-86, they went 2 of 10 from the field with four turnovers. One of the baskets was a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left after the game was all but over.
2. 3-point barrage
The Hawks had to be wary of the Cavaliers’ outside shooting but it was to no avail early. The Cavs made nine first-half 3-pointers and finished with 15. The Hawks needed to keep J.R. Smith from getting hot but the Cavs guard burned them by making 4 of 7 of his long-range attempts. He hit one early and a back-breaker late.
3. Schroder needed a rest
The Hawks had concluded their 18-point comeback but Dennis Schroder needed a break after playing from the 5:01 mark of the third quarter. He asked for a quick break with 6:24 remaining as Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was prepared to go with Schroder down the stretch over Jeff Teague. Schroder got a one-minute game-time break and returned with the score tied at 86-86. The Hawks’ mighty struggles ensued.
4. One shot for Korver
The Cavaliers clamped down on Kyle Korver, who managed just one shot in 37 minutes of playing time. It was a missed 3-pointer. He finished with three points after making all his free throws while being fouled on another long-range attempt. The Hawks tried to counter in the first half with Tim Hardaway Jr. but he missed all four shots, including two 3-pointers.
5. Key offensive rebounds
The Hawks outrebounded the Cavaliers 48-44, including 15-10 on the offensive glass. However, the Cavaliers got timely offensive boards in the fourth quarter to silence the Hawks. On one late Cavs’ possession, Tristan Thompson and Smith got offensive rebounds 27 seconds apart. On the third try, James converted a three-point play that gave the Cavs a seven-point lead with 2:09 remaining.
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