The Cleveland Cavaliers have swept the Atlanta Hawks, defeating the Hawks in Game 4 by a record margin 118-88, advancing to the NBA Finals from the Eastern Conference.
It’s just the second ever Finals appearance for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the fifth consecutive trip for LeBron James, who again led the side.
The Cavaliers, buoyed by the return of Kyrie Irving, blew out the shell-shocked and injured Hawks early, and never looked tested, with coach David Blatt emptying the bench and James not playing a moment of the fourth quarter.
LeBron still managed 23 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in 29 minutes, with six players, including Irving and Australian Matthew Dellavedova, notching up double figures.
While a showdown is likely with Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors, the Western Conference Finals series remains alive following an incredible Game 4 from the James Harden led Houston Rockets to take it to a fifth game.
Curry suffered a head contusion following a nasty foul as he defended a fast-break, and missed much of Game 4.
Game 5 between the Warriors and Rockets commences at 11am, Thursday, Sydney time.
The NBA Finals starts June 4, local time. The Cavaliers will enjoy a nine-day break to recuperate.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
This is going to be a tremendous series. The teams believe it or not are very evenly matched. It can go either way, but I am calling it a 7 game series to the Warriors. They are just a little deeper. I would prefer the Cavs to win. I have been watching both teams closely and they are both playing tremendous TEAM basketball. I have been really impressed with Tristan Thompson who is a monster on the boards and J.R Smith who is capable of getting really hot and goes on these streaky shooting runs. I hope both Delly and Bogut have good series. Unfortunately only one of them can claim a championship ring. For Delly he has the difficult task of matching up with Steph Curry when they are both on the floor. An almost impossible task. He just needs to be his usual pest self and hopefully doesnt get in a lot of foul trouble. No matter who is guarding Curry he is going to get 30+ pts a night. Just make him work for it, give him tough shots, put a hand in his face, restrict his free throws as much as possible. May the best team win. Go cavs.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Good assessment Will. Agreed.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
James scoring 40 and if I recall correctly Curry was shut down for the most part. Tbh I think the Cavs have better balance without Love. Thompson and Mozgov have both been huge contributors. JR is JR and can potentially drop 20-30 any given night. Shumpert fills his role, Delly plays as both an attacking threat and defensive rock. If Kyrie stays healthy I think it the Cavs 4-1. They'll steal a game on the road and win all three home games (assuming they still use this ridiculously unfair format).
josh
Roar Rookie
I think you will see play LeBron James the series of his life. Getting in to Finals 5 years in a row. Getting there again after going home. It's the perfect story. I don't think he will let them slip.
Steve
Guest
If the Cavs have any chance in the Finals, they need to be at least 1 -1 after the first two home games for the Warriors.
Benny
Guest
I think Lebron will play an amazing series though. I don't think the warriors have a player like Leonard who will be able stop him like last year. If you look at their two matches during the year, GSW won the first, and that was without James and it wasn't convincing. Cavs won the second with James scoring 40 points, which suggests to me that GSW don't really have a way to stop James. Cavs in 6
Kingcowboy
Guest
Nope out for up to 6 months.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Can't see the Warriors losing another three to the Rockets and then a Cavs v warriors finals. I think it is more 60/40 to the Warriors in that series. Irving is hurt and of course no Love. LBJ will have to play the series of his life for the Cavs to be a show. Need to remember that the Warriors bench is a lot deeper than the Cavs. 4-2 to the Warriors in the end
Gerry merry
Guest
Is there any chance of Love coming back? or is he gone for the year, I just thought I heard there might be if the cavs made the big finals.
Ben Gibbon
Roar Guru
Cleveland for the Finals win. Lebron as been unreal in the last two series and is going to be very hard to stop. If somebody (Delly?!?!?) can slow Curry I think it is theirs. nb. Slow Curry... if that is possible
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Can't see the Warriors pulling a Clippers, Bogut to play Delly in the Big Dance/s !
Red Kev
Roar Guru
So are the dubs feeling the pressure ahead of tomorrow's game 5 do you think? They have a chance to wrap up the series at home. Plus the Cavs just swept the Hawks and will have at minimum one extra day of rest before the finals kick off on the 4th (US time, can anyone tell me why there is a 2-day gap between game 1 and game 2). If Harden goes off the chain again do they start to collapse Clippers-style?