Preview/Live Thread: Cavs @ Hawks, ECF Game 2 [UPDATED: Kyrie Out for Game 2]

Per @Cavs, guard Kyrie Irving is OUT for tonight's Game 2 vs. Hawks pic.twitter.com/FsrHS4KFYY

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 22, 2015

"Medical staff made a decision it would be better to hold him out." -David Blatt on Kyrie Irving tonight. pic.twitter.com/9Uoei8oXK7

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 22, 2015

While the Cavs stole home court from the Hawks and jumped out to an early series lead after winning Game 1, 97-89, they head into Game 2 with a great deal of uncertainty regarding without Kyrie Irving due to an aching left knee. Irving missed the team’s morning shootaround, instead spending the time getting a further evaluation on his knee after treatment. The latest news had him getting another MRI on the knee, and he is listed as “questionable” now out for tonight’s game.

“This is obviously one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever dealt with,” Irving said after Game 1. “We do days and days and go out there and it’s nothing like simulating a game so for me, I just have to continue to do what I’ve been doing and do whatever is necessary to put myself out there. I’m all about winning. That’s the only thing that matters.”

Since Kyrie can’t go, LeBron, who himself is dealing with a tender right ankle after twisting it stepping on a sideline cameraman in Game 1, will be taxed with a larger share of the ball-handling duties.

“That means less touches in the paint,” James said. “If one of our ball-handlers is out, I’ve got to handle the ball more along with (Dellavedova). It changes my approach a little bit.”

According to David Blatt, Delly will likely start in Kyrie’s place at the point.

“I’ll be ready to go,” Dellavedova said. “Whatever the team needs.”

What the team may miss more than ball handling though, is the threat of Irving being on the floor, even though injured, as a decoy. No matter how hobbled he may appear, he still requires attention from defenders for his outside shooting. Even in his 27 minutes in Game 1, he chipped in 10 points on 4-10 shooting, including 2-3 from deep, as well as six assists.

Other Cavs will have to step up and help LeBron and J.R. Smith with the scoring load, and the team will look to get more output from Iman Shumpert, Delly and James Jones (who were a combined 1-16 from the floor, and 0-10 from three in Game 1).

The Hawks did not make it through Game 1 unscathed either, as Demarre Carroll, who suffered a sprained left knee and some bruising in the fourth quarter.

LeBron’s concern for Carroll was classy and cool.

Initially, the injury looked much worse than it turned out to be, as he needed crutches to walk after the game on Wednesday night. However, he was back on the floor with the Hawks for shootaround and reportedly even took some shots. The Hawks are listing Carroll as a “game-time decision” for Game 2 tonight, even though his left knee was heavily wrapped, he walked with a limp, and Kent Bazemore said he expects to start in Carroll’s place. Bazemore gives up almost four inches and 50 pounds to the man he’ll be charged with guarding (LBJ), so he might have to take Paul Millsap up on his offer to help guard the King.

“It’s probably next man up for them, too,” James said. “They’ve played with injuries obviously less than we have but that’s not my concern about who is in their lineup. My concern is about who we got and who is going to be suited up for us when it’s time to get ready to go again.”

Despite the injuries on both sides, this is a critical game for both teams. Atlanta has their backs to the wall, and will be fighting hard to avoid an 0-2 deficit going to Cleveland. But, already down one of their big three and potentially missing another, the Cavs sound determined to take advantage of the opportunity to take the Hawks out as quickly as possible.

“We are just as desperate as we were in game one to win this one, as well; so we are going to come out the same way, stop their ability to make plays. We can try to slow them down; we can’t stop them. They’re a great offensive team but we just want to slow them down and do what we need to do on our end,” James said.

The running narrative with Kyrie’s injury issues has been whether or not the Cavs should just shut him down in the hopes that he can get healthier for a potential showdown with the winner of the Golden State/Houston matchup (the Warriors have a 2-0 lead in the series after a close 99-98 victory last night). However, they can’t afford to look past a still dangerous Hawks team and save Irving for a round that may never come if they don’t take care of business.

In other news, guess who’s birthday it is? Your favorite embattled “rookie” Cavs Coach, David Blatt. Ol’ Dave is 56 years young today. I imagine all the guys got together and got him something nice… or at least sang something like this…

“Happy Birth-day to you…

Just in time for Game Two…

We may not have Ky-rie…

But the bench mob will do!”

Go ahead and sing if you must…

According to his interviews at shootaround today, here’s what David Blatt wanted for his birthday…

It's #Cavs HC David Blatt's birthday. This is what he would like: A win, you all to be healthy, world peace & solution to high pick-n-roll

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) May 22, 2015

Health, world peace and a solution to the high pick-n-roll might be asking too much, but let’s hope even if Kyrie can’t go, LBJ and Co. can deliver a win for their birthday coach and head home up 2-0.

What’s your prediction for Game 2?