Atlanta's rally falls short in Game 1 loss to Cleveland, 104-93 - Gainesville Times

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Atlanta's rally falls short in Game 1 loss to Cleveland, 104-93

Hawks convert just two field goals in final four minutes

Cleveland Cavaliers' J.R. Smith (5) knocks the ball away from Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap (4) in the second half in Game 1 of a second-round playoff series on Monday in Cleveland. - photo by Tony Dejak

0503Hawks — Cleveland Cavaliers' J.R. Smith (5) knocks the ball away from Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap (4) in the second half in Game 1 of a second-round playoff series on Monday in Cleveland. - photo by Tony Dejak

CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 25 points, Kyrie Irving added 21 and the Cleveland Cavaliers withstood a strong comeback by Atlanta to maintain their chokehold on the Hawks with a 104-93 victory on Monday night in the opening game of their second-round Eastern Conference series. James converted a critical three-point play with 2:09 left for the Cavs, who fell behind in the fourth after leading by 18. Cleveland swept Atlanta in last year’s Eastern Conference finals and has won eight straight over the Hawks.

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