Cavaliers Set New NBA Playoff High for Most Three-Pointers in a Single Quarter
Catchin' Fire: Cleveland Cavaliers Shatter NBA Three-Point Record
The Cavaliers are knuckles deep in history after obliterating the NBA's previous record for most three-pointers made in a single playoff quarter. This record-breaking feat happened during game two of their Eastern Conference first-round faceoff against the Heat, with the Cavaliers notching an impressive 11 shots from beyond the arc during the second quarter.
With this impressive performance, the Cavaliers have etched their names solo in the record books, leaving the trio of Bucks, Suns, and Jazz as the only others who had previously tied for the record with 10 three-pointers in a quarter.[1][2][3]
It was a team effort from the get-go, with six players contributing to the record-breaking night. Max Strus led the charge with an impressive three three-pointers, while Sam Merrill, De'Andre Hunter, and none other than Donovan Mitchell each added a couple.[1][2] Mitchell also racked up a whopping five assists on those shots.[1]
"It worked exactly like I had envisioned in my head," Mitchell shared after scoring an impressive 30 points. "When you envision what you take from Game 1 to Game 2, I thought, yeah, if I get to the paint, guys are gonna collapse. And then to see guys continually hit shots, I mean that's just a special group. When you have versatility like that from the 3-point line, it really makes it tough on the guard, and that's what you saw in the second quarter."[1]
Coach Kenny Atkinson praised his team's performance, stating, "We've got good passers, good connectors. There's spacing and running and dirty work involved and then the skill work takes over."[1]
However, coach Erik Spoelstra of the Heat admitted that despite trying their best to defend the record-breaking shots, they had a hard time keeping up with Cleveland's unrelenting momentum.[1] After all, Cleveland ended the game with an impressive 22 of 45 from beyond the arc.[1]
With their 2-0 lead in the series, the Cleveland Cavaliers are leaving no doubt that they are a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.[1] And with their newfound ability to set new records at will, it's a safe bet that the rest of the league will be shaking in their sneakers.
- The Cleveland Cavaliers, in the NBA playoffs, shattered the previous record for most three-pointers made in a single quarter, recording an astounding 11 in the second quarter of game two against the Heat.
- This impressive feat places the Cavaliers alone in the record books, as the Bucks, Suns, and Jazz are the only other teams to have previously tied for the record with 10 three-pointers in a quarter.
- The record-breaking night was a team effort, with six players contributing, including Max Strus, Sam Merrill, De'Andre Hunter, and Donovan Mitchell, who added exactly two three-pointers each.
- Mitchell also provided five assists on these shots, showcasing his ability to facilitate as well as score.
- After the game, Mitchell expressed satisfaction, stating that the strategy worked exactly as he had envisioned, and that the team's versatility from the three-point line made it difficult for the Heat to defend.
- With their newfound ability to set records and their current 2-0 lead in the series, the Cleveland Cavaliers are leaving no doubt that they are a force to be reckoned with in the NBA playoffs, potentially causing the rest of the league to shiver in their basketball sneakers.
