Cavs score NBA record 25 3-pointers

CLEVELAND (AP) :

Dropping jump shots from every corner and angle, the Cleveland Cavaliers hit an NBA record 25 three-pointers during a 123-98 runaway win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in their NBA second-round play-off series.

J.R. Smith made seven three-pointers as the Cavs had the most prolific outside shooting game of any team in league history.

From the outset, they were on target, and afterwards, LeBron James struggled to explain it.

special night

"Tonight was a special night for all of us who played," he said. "This league has seen so many great teams, so many great players and great shooters, and for us to set an all-time record is truly special."

James made four three-pointers and scored 27 points for the defending conference champions, who were able to rest their starters for the entire fourth quarter. Their arms were probably tired.

Cleveland finished 25 of 45 behind the arc and had 10 players make at least one three-pointer.

The Cavs made 18 three -pointers in the first half and added seven more after halftime to embarrass the Hawks, who have lost 10 straight postseason games to Cleveland.

Golden State, who beat the Cavaliers in last year's Finals and seem to be on a collision course with them again, recently set the postseason mark by making 21 three-pointers. Stephen Curry and Co now have a new bar to aim at.