KI

The Cavaliers needed eight three-pointers and 28 points from JR Smith to escape Game 1 with a victory Wednesday night against the Hawks. Smith is good and all, but I don’t know if that’s happening again.

Now, to make it worse, Kyrie Irving is skipping shootaround to get tests on his left knee. He’s being listed as questionable for Cleveland’s Game 2 showdown against Atlanta.

Not too long ago, the Cavaliers boasted the most fearsome big three in Lebron James, Kevin Love, and Irving. Then they were reduced to the big 1.5 after Love went down with a shoulder injury, and it was discovered that Irving was playing hobbled with an ankle sprain and a left knee strain. Now, James might be left to fend off the Hawks by himself — and Smith — if Irving can’t play because of the left knee.