Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Playoffs -- Cavs nip Hawks, take Game1 of East Finals


PhilBoxing.com




ATLANTA--LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers outmuscled and overpowered the Atlanta Hawks, 97-89, to score a morale-boosting victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at the Philips Arena, Wednesday.

After winning only once in their four regular-season meetings, the Cavaliers took advantage of the top seeded Hawks' poor shooting and dominated both boards to steal home court advantage of the best-of-7 series.

Game 2 returns to the Philips Arena on Friday night (Saturday AM in Manila).

LeBron James led all scorers with an efficient 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes of play. The four-time MVP slammed home a dunk in the final 37 seconds of play, sealing Atlanta's fate as the Cavs built their lead back to six, 93-87, after quelling the Hawks' repeated rallies.

The Hawks came to within four points off a Kent Bazemore fast break, 91-87, that capped a 6-0 run, time down to 47 seconds.

"I think it still is a team victory," said Cleveland coach David Blatt, who was commended by James, himself, for setting up the winning play that led to the monstrous dunk.

James went full throttle for a clear-out play knowing that J.R. Smith was hot on the wings.

"Coach (Blatt) drew that play (last 37 seconds) and we just run it to perfection," said James, who top-scored with 31 points, despite the injuries sustained by starter Kevin Love, among others. "I knew that JR (Smith) was just hot tonight," added the comebacking Cleveland star, who gave Miami several championships.

Smith was sharp and unforgiving, drilling eight three pointers in a huge 28-point haul that broke the game wide open for Cleveland. Tristan Thompson added 14 points and 10 boards while Kyle Irving pitched in 10 points and six dimes.

Cleveland took the lead for good after breaking away from a 63-all count with four minutes left in the third quarter. They led by as many as 15 points, 82-67, before Atlanta slowly nibbled at the lead.

Jeff Teague led the Hawks with 27 points but Atlanta shot a measly 17 percent on four out of 23 three point shots, miserably missing the contribution of Dennis Schroeder, who only turned in six points on two-of-10 field goal shots and was fruitless beyond the arc, 0-for-3.

Photo: LeBron James proved too much for the Hawks on Wednesday night, scoring 31 points and grabbing 8 rebounds with 6 assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a Game 1 win on the Eastern Conference Finals at Philips Arena.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.