Hawks try everything against Cavaliers but still vanish in fourth quarter again

2:20 AM ET

ATLANTA — Not long after the Cleveland Cavaliers had set the NBA record for 3-pointers in Wednesday’s Game 2, LeBron James’ brain began racing over what the Atlanta Hawks would attempt to keep their season alive.

Similar to what he does on defense when he intercepts a pass like a ball-hawking safety, James was anticipating the Hawks’ next move for Friday’s Game 3.

“I’ve been kind of playing in my mind after Game 2 what they would try to do,” James said. “To be honest … I am not going to say it, that may give them something good to go with. [But] I thought they would make a lineup change.”

At this point, Mike Budenholzer is probably open to suggestions, because the sharp Hawks coach might be out of chess moves.

On Friday night, Budenholzer tried to give his team a jolt by starting defensive-minded Thabo Sefolosha and bringing shooter Kyle Korver off the bench. He also altered his rotation, subbing in Kris Humphries first and playing him key minutes to add more muscle.

The result was Cleveland following a record 25 triples in Game 2 with 21 more 3-pointers in a Game 3 encore. And now the curtains are about to fall on the Hawks’ season as the Cavaliers put a 3-0 stranglehold on the best-of-seven series with a 121-108 victory.

“Shake it off, come back and try to win Game 4,” said Hawks guard Jeff Teague, who had 19 points, 14 assists and just one turnover, and yet still saw the Hawks lose by double digits. “We know we can play with this team. We know we can beat them. Both Games 1 and 3, [we] had opportunities to win both of them. Just got to get it done.”

That’s about as easy as getting the Cavaliers to stop making 20 3-pointers a game, which is what they’re averaging right now in these Eastern Conference semifinals.

No matter what the Hawks tried in Game 3, LeBron James and the Cavaliers ended up head and shoulders above them. Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

The Cavs have superstars, dynamic playmakers, closers and just more talent in James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. And with …

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