LEBRON JAMES scored 31 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks 97-89 Wednesday to open the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

    J.R. Smith set a Cavaliers club record with eight three-pointers. He scored 28 points.

    James sealed the victory with a soaring dunk in the final minute. But Smith was the one who ignited the Cavaliers.

    For the Hawks, it was the second straight series in which they’ve lost the opening game at home. Cleveland will look to take command of the series in Game 2 Friday night.

    Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 27 points. But the night really turned sour for the Hawks when DeMarre Carroll, their leading scorer in the playoffs, went down with what appeared to be a left knee injury driving to the basket with 4:59 remaining. He was helped to the locker room, not putting any weight on his knee.

    The Cavaliers took control when Smith knocked down back-to-back 3s in the third quarter. After the second one, he turned toward the Atlanta fans and blew off his right index finger and motioned toward his side, like he was holstering his pistol.

    Cleveland outscored the Hawks 22-4 over the final 5 minutes of the third quarter and the first 2 minutes of the fourth. In fact, the Cavs scored the first 11 points of the final period for their biggest lead, 85-67.

    Carroll’s injury left the crowd in silence and could be a huge blow for the Hawks. Not only was he the main defender on James, he has turned into an offensive force in the playoffs, averaging more than 17 points coming into the first Eastern Conference final in Atlanta history.

    Cleveland slowed the pace down the stretch, looking to milk the clock, and nearly squandered the big lead. Atlanta closed to 91-87 with about a minute remaining, but James got loose from Paul Millsap out near the arc, took off down the lane uncontested and slammed home a dunk to finish off the Hawks.(SD-Agencies)