The Atlanta Hawks talked a good game. They said they still had some fight. They claimed they still believed.
They were kidding themselves, and deep down they knew it. Tuesday night, the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed was run out of the gym.
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are headed to the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history after sweeping the Hawks with a 118-88 win on Tuesday night at The Q.
The Eastern Conference champs are four more wins away from ending the city’s 51-year professional championship drought. With the game well in hand after three quarters, fans relished the moment — as did James, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and other Cavaliers on the sidelines.
“It’s a family. They love each other,” owner Dan Gilbert told the fans during the trophy ceremony on the court. “But we’re not settling for just this.”
James was focused, as he’s been all postseason long. His intensity level was turned up to max. If there were lingering ailments from a demanding postseason, they weren’t seen tonight. He was everywhere on the court causing mayhem.
“We have grit. We have what it takes to win a championship,” James said post-game on TNT.
He ended with 23 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. This is the fifth consecutive time he’s made it all the way to the final round. His aggressiveness rubbed off on his teammates, in particular his big man.
Tristan Thompson completely dominated this series on the glass. The soon-to-be restricted free agent registered 16 points, 11 rebounds and a block. On this night his feistiness wasn’t just for basketball.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
