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Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Takeaways From Game 4 vs. Hawks

By James D. Tillman III

May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) calls for a jump ball after tying up Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (not shown) at the end of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers won 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) calls for a jump ball after tying up Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (not shown) at the end of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers won 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Love Showed No Love For Hawks

Love wasn’t much of a factor early on in this contest. In fact, he missed on five of his first six attempts from the field in the opening quarter. From that point on, though, he became a nightmare for the Hawks.

This was especially true in the third quarter, when he lit up the Hawks’ defense for 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting and connected on four of his seven attempts from three-point range. While Love didn’t shoot the ball particularly well overall (9-for-25), he scored a game-high 27 points and knocked down eight of his 15 attempts from the land of 3, making the Hawks pay the price for leaving him open.

With Love’s ability to score in the low post as well as from the perimeter, the Cavaliers hoped that he would create favorable matchups when they traded for him back in the summer of 2014. So far, that move is paying off rather nicely.

Not only did Love average 19 points and 13 rebounds against the Hawks in this four-game set, he has posted a double-double in every game during Cleveland’s postseason run. With the big men of the Toronto Raptors (Jonas Valanciunas) and the Miami Heat (Hassan Whiteside) dealing with injuries, Love will continue to be a difference-maker against either of those teams in the conference finals as well.

Next: Cavs' Depth Too Much For Hawks

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