Source: Xinhua
05-04-2009 16:42
WASHINGTON, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Atlanta Hawks cruised past the Miami Heat 91-78 in a disappointingly one-sided Game Seven of their Eastern Conference series on Sunday, setting up a second round showdown against top-seeded Cleveland.
The Hawks, led by Joe Johnson's 27 points, will meet the Cavaliers in the conference semi-finals beginning on Tuesday in Cleveland.
"This is a special feeling, to be out there in a game like this and knowing that we're moving on to the next round," Johnson said.
In Atlanta, the Hawks blew open the game in the second quarter to open a 13-point halftime lead, which they continued to stretch as the game progressed before easing in the closing minutes.
Dwyane Wade scored 31 points in a losing cause for the Heat.
The second-round playoff appearance will be the first in a decade for the Hawks, the fourth-seeded team in the East.
Johnson was particularly effective for Atlanta from three-point range, hitting six of eight attempts for 18 points.
