| |
|
NBA Playoffs -- After a long season of struggles, Cavs punch ticket to the NBA Finals
By Anthony Rozic
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 May 2015
CLEVELAND -- After a long and tumultuous season, one marred by a poor start, rumors of internal squabbling and supposed coach firing, the Cleveland Cavaliers are NBA Finals bound following a four-game sweep of the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night at the Quicken Loans Arena.
LeBron James led the 118-88 Game 4 rout with 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Tristan Thompson, who was voted as Eastern Conference Finals series MVP, tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds while Kyrie Irving returned from a two-game absence to record 16 points and five dimes.
This would be James' fifth straight to the NBA Finals and sixth overall. He led the Cavs to the 2007 NBA Finals where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, 4-0.
"I'm a guy who believes in unfinished business," James told reporters at his post-game press conference.
The city of Cleveland hasn't won a major sports title in 51 years and LeBron appreciates that.
"I understood what these people were going through, the people here. Not only in Cleveland but Northeast Ohio and all over the world who love and bleed wine and gold. To be at this point tonight is very emotional," the four-time MVP added.
James and the Cavaliers have a chance to end that drought beginning on June 4 (June 5 in Manila) when the 2015 NBA Finals begin. The Cavs will play the winner of the Western Conference Finals showdown between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, who lead that series 3-1.
While the Cavs are off to bigger things and higher stakes, the vanquished Hawks go home after a terrific season in which they topped the Eastern Conference with a 60-22 regular season card.
Ravaged by injuries and devastated by three close losses, the Hawks had little more to give in Game 4, trailing 32-20 after one quarter and 59-42 at the halftime break. They never recovered form the Cavs quick jump.
Atlanta got 17 points from Jeff Teague and 16 from Paul Millsap.
Photo: Iman Shumpert (L) and LeBron James, together with the rets of the Cleveland Cavaliers are off to the 2015 NBA Finals.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Anthony Rozic.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
April 5: Unified Middleweight World Champion Janibek Alimkhanuly To Defend WBO & IBF World Titles Against Anauel Ngamissengue in Historic Kazakhstan Homecoming LIVE on ESPN+
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Heavy hands, short night for undefeated Brooklyn Heavyweight Prospect Pryce Taylor Scored devastating 2nd round TKO in Flint
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Three Lions Promotions wins Jack/Rozicki purse bid WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Badou Jack vs. Ryan Rozicki coming to Canada
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025World Boxing to hold Extraordinary Congress March 1st to approve new membership applications
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Boxing Insider Promotions to bring upscale pro boxing club show back to Times Square
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025The President of the World Boxing Organization and the Secretary of Recreation and Sports of Puerto Rico Strengthen Ties to Benefit Boxing and Puerto Rican Youth
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Johnny Wellem Carzano rules Misamis Occidental active open chess championship
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Boston Celtics Upend Cleveland, 112-105, Reduce Cavs Lead in the NBA Eastern Conf
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025The Past Week in Action 4 February 2025: Benavidez Beats Morrell; Fulton Outpoints Figueroa; Shields Defeats Perkins
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: Historic Riyadh Season Blockbuster Set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Xander Zayas: “This is the Most Important Fight of My Career!”
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Mano Mano sa Candelaria 3: Gemino Outpoints Mancito
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025THE TALENTED AND UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DARIUS “DFG” FULGHUM RETURNS AS CO-MAIN EVENT FOR DUARTE VS. PROGRAIS
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš to highlight the ascending stars of female boxing
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Kaipo Gallegos Shines in Las Vegas Victory Over Leonardo Padilla
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025World Boxing membership grows to 72 National Federations as Executive Board approves four new applications from Egypt, Gambia, Kiribati and Grenada
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Deonte Brown signs with prominent manager Trifon Petrov
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Memphis Grizzlies Repeat Over SA Spurs, Overtake Houston Rockets for 2nd in West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 04 Feb 2025WEIGHTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025IM Michael Concio and Chester Neil Reyes banner IIEE Quezon to win the quarterfinals of the PTC World Engineering Day online Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 04 Feb 2025THURSDAY: Arthur Biyarslanov-Mohamed Mimoune & Heavyweight KO Artist Bakhodir Jalolov’s Return to Stream LIVE and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: The Super Fight of 2025 Officially Set for Las Vegas
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields Makes History and Captures the Undisputed Heavyweight Title at Super Brawl Sunday in Flint, Mich.
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025Granite Chin Promotions bringing pro boxing back to Bridgewater “Fight Night at the Vets Club III”
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2025
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
