CAVS TOP HAWKS 97-89 IN GAME 1
James shakes offff early injury to score 31,
LeBron James scored 31 points and J.R. Smith made eight 3-pointers and added 28, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers past the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks 97-89 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.
Intent on bringing Cleveland its first NBA title, James sealed the victory with a soaring dunk in the final minute. But Smith was the one who ignited the Cavs, going 8 of 12 from 3-point range.
For the Hawks, it was the second straight series in which they’ve lost the opening game at home. Cleveland will look to take command of the series in Game 2 Friday night.
Jeff Teague led Atlan- ta with 27 points. But the night really turned sour for the Hawks when DeMarre Carroll, their leading scorer in the playoffs, went down with what appeared to be a left knee injury driving to the basket with 4:59 remaining. He was helped to the locker room, not putting any weight on his knee.
Howard’s status iffy: Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard has a sprained left knee and is unsure whether he’ll be able to play against Golden State in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals tonight.
Howard sat out prac- tice Wednesday at Oracle Arena after an MRI confirmed the injury. He said his knee was still in pain and he’ll listen to his body before deciding whether to play. He added that he has “no doubt” he’ll return at some point in the series.
“The most important thing is that I’m healthy,” Howard said. “Nobody can understand an injury when they’re injured but the person that’s injured. If I feel like I can tolerate it and go out there and play on it, then I will.
“But my career is the most important thing. I want to do whatever I can to help the team, but I can’t help the team if I’m hurt.”
Asked if he could have played if Game 2 was Wednesday night, Howard responded: “Thank God we don’t have to play (Wednesday).”
Curry fined: Warriors guard Stephen Curry was fined $5,000 by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-flopping rules in Game 1.
All-Defensive team: Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and point guard Chris Paul, Warriors forward Draymond Green and Grizzlies guard Tony Allen were named to the NBA’s All-Defensive first team. Second-team selections were Spurs forward Tim Duncan, Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, Warriors center Andrew Bogut and Wizards guard John Wall.