Cavaliers Sweep Hawks To Reserve Spot In NBA Finals

LeBron James knew what he left behind when he bolted to Miami five years ago. He broke hearts at home, where generations of Cleveland fans only know championships through stories told by their fathers, yellowed newspaper clippings or grainy black-and-white film. James had to go back.

"I'm a guy who believes in unfinished business," he said.

With four more wins, he can end a half-century of sports misery. James scored 23 points, Kyrie Irving provided a boost after missing two games and Cleveland reserved a spot in the NBA Finals with a 118-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night to win the Eastern Conference title.

By sweeping the top-seeded Hawks, the Cavs, who overcame adversity from the season's start, earned their second trip to the finals, where they will face either Golden State or Houston starting June 4.

Tuesday, May 26 Scoreboard

Cleveland 118, Atlanta 88
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS - GAME 4

Wednesday, May 27 Schedule (Time Central)

Houston at Golden State, 8 p.m.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS - GAME 5

Thursday, May 28 Schedule

No games scheduled

Friday, May 29 Schedule (Time Central)

Golden State at Houston, 8 p.m.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS - GAME 6 IF NECESSARY