Channing Frye Shows Cavaliers Are on Another Level When Big 3 Get Help

Already down 2-0 to the Cleveland Cavaliers following a 123-98 domination, the Atlanta Hawks spent Game 3 getting out of the oven and instead went straight into the Frye-ing pan.

Led by reserve big man Channing Frye’s team-high 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, Cleveland took a 3-0 lead by downing the Hawks 121-108.

Frye’s outburst capped off what’s been a string of strong performances by those not named LeBron James, Kevin Love or Kyrie Irving, proving that the Cavaliers’ Big Three have plenty of help in their pursuit of a title.

Frye’s Big Night

Cleveland is the only NBA team yet to lose this postseason, led primarily by their firepower offense and historic three-point shooting.

While some of the main cogs like Irving are putting up video-game numbers (73.3 percent from three vs. Hawks), other role players have fed off his presence to create their own open looks.

Perhaps no performance has been as impressive as Frye’s Game 3, one that he may have predicted months ago.

“Just like I was telling someone the other day, listen, it may not be now, it may not be for the next 10 games, but there’s going to be a time where I’m going to go out there and help win a game or two and that’s why I’m here,” Frye told Bleacher Report on March 5, shortly after his trade from the Orlando Magic.

On Friday, Frye scored more than any one of the Big Three, netting his 27 points on 7-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. While impressive, and a good sign for Cleveland, this alone likely wouldn’t have willed the Cavs to victory. But when you consider that it came in conjunction with James’ 24 points, Irving’s 24 and Love’s 21, the Cavs become a team that can do damage from all over the roster.

In addition to his scoring boost, Frye received more playing time than usual in Game 3 (28:08), due to Atlanta’s strategy of …

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