ATLANTA (Georgia) • The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on a three-point binge since the start of the year. On Friday, they took it a step further and set a National Basketball Association (NBA) record in the process.
The Cavs, who have made at least 10 three-pointers in each of their last 13 games, made 25 three-pointers in the 135-130 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
That topped the regular-season record of 24 three-pointers set on Dec 16 last year by the Houston Rockets against the Orlando Magic. The Cavs also made 25 against the Hawks in the play-offs last year.
"It should have been more," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said.
Kyrie Irving and LeBron James combined for 81 points to lead the effort.
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25
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Three-pointers Cleveland made in Friday's 135-130 win over Atlanta. The previous NBA best this season was the 24 by Houston against Orlando on Dec 16.
Irving made five three-pointers and scored 43 points. James had six three-pointers and scored 38.
Derrick Williams, Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Kyle Korver had three treys apiece.
"We came in wanting to take away the three-point line," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It's a lot harder with the way James and Irving create attention."
The record-setting three-pointer was made by Korver, a former Hawks player, with 1min 17sec left.
Atlanta (34-26) were led by Tim Hardaway Jr, who came off the bench to score a career-high 36 points - including five three-pointers - and Paul Millsap, who had 27 points and 10 rebounds.
The Cavs (42-18) shot 65.2 per cent from the field in the first half and made 14 three-pointers.
"That first 21/2 quarters was great basketball," Lue added.
"That's how we're capable of playing. That's who we are."
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
