Cavaliers Set NBA Record By Scoring 25 3-Pointers Vs Hawks In Game 2

On Wednesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers established a new NBA record by sinking 25 three-pointers in a 123-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Cavaliers Set NBA Record By Scoring 25 3-Pointers Vs Hawks In Game 2

The Cavs put down long-range shots from nearly every corner of Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

“That was overwhelming,” Hawks guard Kent Bazemore said.

Cleveland finished 25 of 45 from behind the arc, led by J.R. Smith, who made seven three-pointers, including one he sank balancing on one leg and another where he barely seemed to look at the hoop before firing the shot.

“J.R. is the only one on the team who has the green light,” said LeBron James. “It’s fluorescent.”

The Cavaliers scored 18 three-pointers in the first half, thus setting the mark for any half. They then broke the Golden State Warriors’ postseason mark of 21 3-pointers when Kyrie Irving made one with just 5:06 left. Cleveland tied the record of 23 3-pointers set by both the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets before reserve Dahnty Jones made No. 24 with 2:24 remaining and Mo Williams knocked down the 25th and final three-pointer for the Cavs.

James added that the Cavs didn’t intend to make history: history just happened. They outshot Stephen Curry and the Warriors from outside 22 feet.

“I don’t think we searched out threes until we heard on the Jumbotron that we tied the record,” he said. “And then we felt like we came this far so we might as well try and break it.”

The Cavs sank 20 3-pointers in a first-round victory over the Detroit Pistons and they’ve been one of the NBA’s most rapid-fire teams all season.

However, James stated that the Cavaliers “are not a 3-point shooting team,” and that they don’t wish to be labeled that way.

Cleveland has averaged 16.2 3-pointers per game thus far in the playoffs, and they have become more dependent on the deep ball than ever before.

Part of the reason for this is that general manager David Griffin has constructed around James a squadron of sharp-shooters, whom James calls “designated snipers,” who are capable of scoring long-range shots. The Cavs always seem to get many open looks and everyone gets a shot, whether it’s Irving or Kevin Love or Richard Jefferson or Channing Frye.

Smith, however, has appeared to made the biggest name for himself among the Cavs. Aside from his shooting prowess, he has also locked down Atlanta sharpshooter Kyle Korver in the first two games, limiting him to eight points and one 3-pointer.

James, who has grown close to Smith, laughed when he was asked if he ever wanted to play a game the way his teammate does.

“Yeah,” James said. “It would be cool to take 14, 17, 20 3-pointers in a game. That would be cool.”

Smith’s teammates often tease him during practice for some of his awkward, off-balance attempts that somehow go in.

“Guys are always looking at me like, ‘What are you doing? What are you doing?’ This is my shot,” he said. “Regardless of how funny it may look to you, I feel as if I can make it and when I get that opportunity, I’m going to shoot it and I’m going to make it.”

The Cavaliers now lead the series 2-0. Game 3 is set for Friday in Atlanta.

PHOTO: CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 4: Mo Williams #52 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots makes the 25th three point shot over Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 4, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers set a new NBA record by making 25 three point shots in a game and defeated the Hawks 123-98.