National Basketball Association

LeBron, Cavs clinch top seed in East with win over Hawks

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:32 p.m. ET

foxsports

CLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James scored 34 points in three quarters, Kyrie Irving added 35 and the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 109-94 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.

James scored 19 in the third quarter and only sat for four of the first 36 minutes as the Cavs ensured they'll have home-court advantage until the NBA Finals.

James shot 13 of 16, made all five free throws and added six rebounds and six assists - another dazzling statistical line for the four-time MVP who switched into playoff mode weeks ago.

When James finally sat down late in the third, Irving made sure he didn't have to come back in by scoring nine points in the first four minutes. Kevin Love added 14 rebounds for Cleveland.