NBA Playoff Preview: Cleveland at Atlanta, Game 3

On Friday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be in Atlanta for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal round. The Cavaliers drained an NBA record 25 three-pointers in Game 2 (the most in the regular season or the postseason) in a 123-98 thumping that was more of a statement win than anything else. They led 35-20 after the first period and 74-38 at halftime. Find the latest NBA betting spread here.

NBA Playoff Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks, Game 3

When: Friday, May 6, 2016, 7:00pm Eastern time Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA TV: ESPN Radio: 92.9 The Game WZGC FM Atlanta Live Stream: NBA-Stream.com NBA Odds: TBA    

Why should you bet on Cleveland?

With each passing game in the playoffs, it looks like the Cavaliers are elevating their level of play as they eye a rematch with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. J.R. Smith made seven three-pointers all by himself, and LeBron James added four more, totaling 27 points on the night in three quarters, as the starters were able to rest on the bench for the entire fourth period. Ten Cavaliers had at least one shot from downtown. The Hawks have now lost 10 postseason games in a row to the Cavaliers, and it doesn’t look like that streak will end anytime soon.

Why should you put your money on the Hawks?

There’s no way I’d put money down on Atlanta straight up, and this might be a situation where the line is so big that I worry about a fourth quarter in which the Cavalier starters rest again. It is true that the Hawks have played much better this postseason at home — that is where they controlled the Celtics. Paul Millsap, who was scoring in the 30s and 40s against Boston, only posted 16 in Game 2. Jeff Teague made it into double figures with 14, but the Hawks need to revisit their defensive plan.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Cavaliers are simply too strong for the Hawks on both ends of the floor right now. I’m predicting a 120-104 Cleveland win in Game 3.