Pure domination. Those are the words that can be used to describe the performance of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 94-82 win over the Atlanta Hawks Friday night at Philips Arena to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Honestly, as I was watching the game, I didn’t really think a post was necessary based on how bad of a performance the Atlanta Hawks displayed. However, I do enjoy bringing the news and stories to everyone who likes the blog. This game was pretty much over early in the third quarter. The Cavaliers outplayed the Hawks on the road for the second consecutive game in this Eastern Conference Finals. The final score definitely did not indicate how much this game wasn’t even close. At one point in the fourth quarter, Cleveland looked like they were playing pick up basketball in an All-Star game.

Atlanta did not look fully engaged, and didn’t have the fighting spirit or energy to battle LeBron James and the Cavs in the second half. You would think after losing Game 1 at home, and having DeMarre Carroll in the lineup after there was doubt he would play in Game 2 due to a knee injury he suffered in the previous game, the Hawks would be inspired and motivated to win at home. They were outplayed in almost every facet of the game. Cleveland used a big third quarter push in outscoring Atlanta 30-17 in the period to lead by as many as 20 points, and essentially give the struggling Hawks no shot at mounting a comeback late in the game.

What was surprising to me about the result of Game 2 was how the Cavs dismantled the number one-seeded team in the East, and the second-best team record wise in the NBA without their All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, who sat out because of an ailing left knee. Also, the Cavs were also without their other All-Star in Kevin Love (out for rest of playoffs due to shoulder surgery).

For Atlanta, the bad news and obstacles just keep coming. Their All-Star three-point sharpshooter, Kyle Korver, who got injured in the second half of Game 2 with an ankle injury, has been set to miss the remainder of the postseason. DeMarre Carroll is already limited in his movement, even though he played in Game 2. Without two of their starters being healthy, the Hawks will not make it out of this Eastern Conference Finals series, and advance to the NBA Finals.

James finished the game with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists for a near triple-double. Iman Shumpert scored 16 points and Tristan Thompson had 7 points and grabbed 16 rebounds (5 offensive) for Cleveland.

Dennis Schroder was the high man for Atlanta with 13 points. Korver, Al Horford, and Jeff Teague each scored 12 points and Teague had 6 assists.

We will see what game plan the Atlanta Hawks try to come up with for Game 3. Right now, they have no room for error as they have to play the next two games on the road in Cleveland. Being down 0-2 already, and the way they have played in the series’ first two games, I am not liking their chances of bringing the series back to Atlanta for Game 5.

Game 3 is Sunday in Cleveland, 8:30 PM/ET on TNT.