NBA Playoff Schedule 2016: TV, Livestream Coverage for Wednesday’s Semis

Meeting the Atlanta Hawks in a second straight postseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers can once again use them as a stepping stone to the NBA Finals.

The Cavaliers, who swept the 60-win Hawks in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, opened their semifinal showdown with a home victory on Monday night. Despite registering 25 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and five steals, LeBron James was not impressed with his team’s 104-93 win.

“We played an OK game,” James said in a news conference, per ESPN.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “I don’t think we played to our standards. The first game is always kind of a feel-out, and we look forward to the challenges of Wednesday.”

Atlanta kept the matchup tight late into the fourth quarter, but Cleveland squashed a one-point lead with a 10-0 run down the stretch. On Wednesday night, the Hawks get another chance to steal one on the road.

If James thinks he can handle the Monstars, he better not have much trouble vanquishing the Eastern Conference’s No. 4 seed in Game 2.

Game 2: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks (CLE Leads 1-0)

When: Wednesday, May 4, at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland

TV: TNT

Livestream: WatchTNT

A key piece to last year’s sweep over Atlanta, Tristan Thompson corralled 44 rebounds and seven blocks. Adding a larger sample size to his success, he scooped up 40 boards in three 2015-16 regular-season bouts, all Cleveland victories. He continued his dominance over Atlanta in Game 1, absorbing 14 boards while swatting two more shots in 40 minutes.

The …

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