The Cavaliers set a record for 3-pointers in a team’s first six playoff games on this Kyrie Irving shot:
Did you notice anything strange about that clip?
It came in Game 1 against the Hawks – Cleveland’s fifth playoff game.
That’s right, the Cavs needed just five games to set a record for 3s through six playoff games. Then, they piled on 25 3-pointers – a record for any NBA game – in their Game 2 win over Atlanta on Wednesday.
Cleveland’s 97 3-pointers through six postseason games absolutely crushes the previous record:
The difference between the Cavs and second place equals difference between second and 88th.
In fact, Cleveland has already demolished the record for 3s through EIGHT playoff games (previously 90 by the 2014-15 Hawks). Again, the Cavaliers have played just six games this postseason.
Where is all this outside output coming from? The key long-distance shot makers:
- J.R. Smith: 28-for-53 (52.8%)
- Kyrie Irving: 23-for-44 (52.3%)
- Kevin Love: 15-for-36 (41.7%)
- LeBron James: 10-for-29 (34.5%)
- Richard Jefferson: 7-for-13 (53.8%)
Add it all up, and the Cavs are making 16.2 3-pointers per game – which would easily set a playoff record:
Cleveland could make no 3-pointers in its next two games – and still rank first for 3s per game in a postseason.
Not that the Cavs appear likely to go cold from distance anytime soon.
Their stars generate open looks and make 3s themselves. Smith is an unrepentant gunner, and he’s feeling it.
These are the Cavaliers as scary as they get.