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NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers Tie 3-Point Playoff Record, Prepare For Game 3 Against Detroit Pistons

By Dustin Murrell
Published on: 02:34 PST, Apr 22, 2016

As LeBron James and the Cavaliers attempt to bring Cleveland their first NBA Championship, they made their way past the Detroit Pistons decisively in Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs with a final score of 107-90 on Wednesday night. Sixty of Cleveland’s points came from three-point range, matching a feat set by the Golden State Warriors in their final regular season game of the year by hitting 20 three-point field goals in a single game, done only two other times in NBA Playoffs history.

On Friday, the series moves to Detroit, where Cleveland hopes to increase their lead to 3-0.

NBA Playoffs Record

It’s no secret that the Cleveland Cavaliers have some shooters on their team. While shooting from downtown isn’t the skill that brought LeBron all of his success (it wasn’t for Michael Jordan, either), King James was good for 2 of Cleveland’s 20 long-distance field goals on Wednesday. Cleveland’s other two members of the Big 3 — Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving — were collectively good for 7 three-pointers. While a total of eight Cavaliers registered at least one, J.R. Smith stole the show with 7.

During the post-game press conference, NBA.com reports that Smith was presented with Cleveland’s numbers for the night: 20-for-38 from beyond the arch.

“We shot 38 threes? D**n.”

The gunner’s philosophy behind his success on Wednesday night wasn’t complicated.

“I’m open, so I shoot the ball. It’s kind of simple for me.”

LeBron, for his part, seems to have a clear understanding of what his role in this dynamic is compared to someone like Smith. As captured in the video below, James describes shooters like J.R. Smith as “designated snipers” in opposition to the role of “tank” that he fulfills himself.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are actually the third team in NBA Playoffs history to register a total of 20 three-point shots in a single game. As noted by Bleacher Report, five years ago, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 122-86 in the Western Conference Semifinals, landing 20 three-pointers in the process. Twenty years ago, in the 1996 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics became the first time in post-season history to hit 20 3-pointers in their 105-101 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Cavs Lead Series 2-0

Cleveland’s win on Wednesday gives the Cavs a cushy two-game lead in the series as they travel to Detroit for Game 3. As the games begin to get more physical on the court, the verbal battle continues off the court. Still making a name for himself in the NBA, 19-year-old Piston rookie Stanley Johnson has had some words for the defending Eastern Conference champions.

“Their whole team talks, all those guys on the bench. They’re like cheerleaders,” Johnson said of his opponents. “Only seven or eight guys are playing, but they’re all talking. They might as well be in the stands.”

Understandably, LeBron seemed unmoved by Johnson’s words. Despite a few minor physical altercations in the game, LeBron refused to respond with smack-talk.

“There hasn’t been one dirty play in the series… I took a shot, but I’m OK, I’m still standing tall.”

Where To Watch

Game 3 of the 2016 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series featuring Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons will be hosted by the Pistons at The Palace in Auburn Hills. Detroit trails Cleveland in the series 2-0.

As of this morning, tickets are still available for purchase to see the game live in Michigan. Coverage of the game begins at 7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.

[Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]

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