The Cleveland Cavaliers secured an easy win over the the Atlanta Hawks to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semis.

LeBron James was once again at his imperious best to take the game away from the Hawks after they trailed by a single point at half-time and then used a 13-0 run in the third period to take the lead 63-62.

James, however, took control as the Cavs pulled away to eventually see off the Hawks. The superstar forward finished the game with 47 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas weighed in with 14 points and eight rebounds.

Joe Johnson led the way for the Hawks, scoring 21 points and collecting five boards, while Josh Smith recorded 18 points and five rebounds and Ronald Murray claimed 17 points.

The two teams meet again at the same venue on Monday and the Hawks now have a mountain to climb if they are to pull of an unlikely comeback.