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NBA Playoffs 2015: Cavs Up 3-0 vs Hawks in East Finals After OT Win [Highlights & Recap]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken three straight wins after defeating the depleted Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

As the game went over regulation, LeBron James led the team to an overtime victory with a score of 114 to 111. Following this win, as Bleacher Report notes, the Cavs are but one win away from the NBA Finals.

Despite the odds, leading the charge for the Cavs is future Hall of Famer, James, who put up 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists. It's important to note that the James only pulled out the stars during the second half of the game. He began the game sluggish as he missed his first 10 shots and by halftime was a low 3 for 16 from the field, noted USA Today

The publication adds that Game 3 marks LeBron's 12th career playoff triple double, which is the 2nd most overall after His Airness, Michael Jordan. 

The game's fate was sealed when James nailed a three pointer with 36.4 seconds left in overtime to put the home team Cavs ahead by one. He then blocked a Jeff Teague layup attempt with 30.9 seconds and drove into the lane with 12.8 seconds left to score a two-pointer putting the Cavs ahead 114 to 111.

Atlanta's Opportunities

As for the Hawks, who played without sharpshooter Kyle Korver due to injury, they fought their way throughout the game. They had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter when they had possessions with 17.1 seconds remaining.  Jeff Teague was given a quick look to take a buzzer beater but missed the three point attempt.

In overtime, the Hawks also missed a chance to tie the score and extend to a second overtime when Shelvin Mack missed two three point attempts with time running down. 

Another major blow for the Hawks was the ejection of center Al Horford for a Flagrant 2 foul, in a video reported by SB NationHe elbowed Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova after they got tangled up near the Hawks basket. As the two fell to the floor, the larger Horford was seen to cock his elbow and drop it on the smaller Cavs guard. This earned the Horford a Flagrant 2 foul while Dellavedova was issued a technical foul for his role inthe incident.

Game 4 will happen on Tuesday in Cleveland. USA Today recalls that no NBA team has ever returned from a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history. 


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