It is snowing in HotLanta!

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NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I analyzed the depth chart of the Browns. There will be no shows until Friday the 29th. Have a great Memorial Day and thanks for listening.

While Pres. Obama in concerned about Global Warming, things could not get any colder in Atlanta. No, it is not the weather. It is the Cavs defense that has put the Hawks in cold storage.

Without 2 of the “Big 3” the Cavs on the back of LeBron James totally controlled the Hawks in game 2. James looked like Superman flying through the air and the Hawk defense.

The Hawks look disorganized and confused. They struggle to defend the Cavs and fail to make switches when needed. On offense they couldn’t throw the ball into the Grand Canyon hanging off the edge of it.

This time Cavs didn’t suffer a letdown. They built a lead and held it for the most part. The Hawks were one of the best 3 point shooting teams in the regular season. But they are finding out that the playoffs are a totally different game. They are 10 for 49 in this series behind the 3 point line.

The most interesting factor in last night’s win by the Cavs was the Hawk shooters felt pressure even when they were open. That is what good defense does. The Cavs got in the heads of the Hawk shooters making them take bad or ill advised shots.

The Cavs bench is not deep but it seems like someone steps up to make a difference. Given the injuries the Cavs have suffered, that will have to continue. Tristan Thompson has filled in for Kevin Love and has been brilliant. He has provided the rebounding the Cavs needed and some terrific blocks as well. In game 1 it was J.R. Smith that provided 28 points including 8 of 12 3’s. Iman Shumpert played solid defense and scored 16 in game 2 filling in for Kyrie Irving. Matthew Dellavedova came through for the Cavs in game 2 with 11 points and 6 rebounds. James Jones added 9 points and 2 steals in the game as well.

The Hawks look done. Their biggest problem is they don’t have a “go-to star.” Without a top guy, the Hawks struggle in the half court game the playoffs have become. They have dug a huge hole in their playoff chances and they seem to want to keep digging. The Cavs need to put the Hawks away in 4 games to give their walking wounded time to heal.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: News, Notes and Rumors podcast are BACK. Check out our thoughts on Fridays about the games coming up and Monday on the results of the weekend. My co-host is Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports. Podcasts can be heard on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks for your support.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

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