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Cleveland Cavaliers: Takeaways From Game 2 Win vs. Hawks

By James D. Tillman III

May 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Cavaliers bench, including forward Kevin Love (0), guard Iman Shumpert (4), guard J.R. Smith (5), and center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrate Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams' (52) three-pointer during the fourth quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The three-pointer was the 25th of the game for the Cavs. The Cavs won 123-98. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Cavaliers bench, including forward Kevin Love (0), guard Iman Shumpert (4), guard J.R. Smith (5), and center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrate Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams' (52) three-pointer during the fourth quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The three-pointer was the 25th of the game for the Cavs. The Cavs won 123-98. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is introduced before game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is introduced before game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Cavaliers Shredding Hawks’ Defense To Shreds

Despite the fact that Hawks followed up their 60-win total from last season with a 48-34 mark this year, they felt like they were a better team from a defensive standpoint — something that forward Kent Bazemore spoke about coming into this series.

"“We added new length this year, added a little bit more size with Kris Humphries, Bazemore said, via CavsNation.com. Every player has gotten a lot better. Paul and Al are blocking shots at an alarming rate. That rim protection definitely helps. We trust each other defensively.”"

During the regular season, the Hawks, ranked second in defensive efficiency with 101.4 points per 100 possessions (per Basketball-Reference.com); led the league in opponents’ field goal percentage at .432 and they were tied for sixth in opponent’s three-point shooting percentage at .338.

Through the first two games of this series, the Hawks’ defense has not been as sharp. In Game 1, Cleveland connected on 45 percent of its shot attempts and followed that up with a 47-percent showing in Game 2. For the series, the Cavs are shooting 45.8 percent overall and 52.6 percent from distance.

It is said that defense win championships.While the Hawks are not considered a legitimate title contender, they will not win a game in this series unless they make the necessary adjustments at that end of the floor.

Next: Cavs Limiting Kyle Korver

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