NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers vs. Hawks Game 4 recap, full highlights

The Cavaliers completed a sweep of the Hawks to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers walked into Philips Arena on Sunday afternoon for Game 4 knowing that they only needed one win to advance one round closer to their goal. With three consecutive emphatic victories—though some more emphatic than others—over the Atlanta Hawks, all that the Cavaliers needed was a big win in Game 4 to complete the sweep and move to the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, the Hawks were much less inclined to just roll over or roll out the red carpet for the Cavaliers and looked to protect both their pride and at least some respect on their home floor. They jumped out to an early lead with a strong offensive showing in the first quarter, going up by nine points. Cleveland fought back in the second frame, but Atlanta was still able to cling to a two-point lead going into halftime.

In the third quarter, though, the Cavaliers continued what they did in the second quarter as they took the lead from the home team and looked like they may well be on their way to completing the sweep. The Cavs ultimately jumped out to a four-point lead after three quarters, thanks largely to Kevin Love really stepping up through the first three quarters and LeBron James absolutely rolling from start to finish.

Atlanta wasn’t in the business of conceding just yet, though, as the enigmatic Dennis Schroder got hot and actually gave the Hawks a lead late in the fourth quarter. However, the tenacity of LeBron James on one play with about a minute left ultimately led to him getting a bucket from a goaltend. A Tristan Thompson block on the other end then led to another LeBron score on a gorgeous jumpers.

In the end, that gave the Cavaliers a three-point lead with under a minute to play. Schroder came up again with a big bucket and LeBron then missed a three. In the final moments, though, Schroder got tied up on the interior for a jump-ball with James. He lost that and the ball bounced around until the buzzer sounded, thus ending the game and locking up the sweep for the Cavaliers.

Three Stars

Kevin Love, Cavaliers – 27 points, 13 rebounds, four assists

Dennis Schroder, Hawks – 21 points, six assists, three rebounds, two steals, one block

LeBron James, Cavaliers – 21 points, nine assists, 10 rebounds, two steals

Highlights

Next Game

The Cavaliers will now await the winner of the series between the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat to play in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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