canihavu
03-08-2009, 06:25 AM
Cavaliers turn down Heat 99-89
CLEVELAND (AP)—Nobody in the NBA bounces back like the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James recorded a triple-double, Mo Williams scored 29 points and the Cavs quickly shook off any hangover from a disappointing loss at Boston by beating Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat 99-89 on Saturday night.
Wade was ejected—for the first time in his career—in the final minute after being assessed a second technical foul. Miami’s superstar was upset after he didn’t call in the lane with the Heat down by just six points. He finished with 25 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds before being sent to the showers.
While running its home record to 28-1, Cleveland improved to a league-best 13-2 in back-to-back games and 12-1 following a loss.
Delonte West added 19 points for the Cavaliers, who played their fifth game in seven nights.
James and Wade did not quite reprise their South Floridian scoring-fest from earlier in the week when the superstars—and, along with Kobe Bryant, MVP favorites—combined for 83 points in Cleveland’s comeback win. But while the league’s top two scorers didn’t shoot the lights out, they stuffed the boxscore and provided the sellout crowd with several memories.
Maybe none as big as Wade getting tossed for arguing.
Cleveland Cavaliers' Delonte West (13) takes an off-balance shot against Miami Heat's Michael Beasley in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers' Delon…
AP - Mar 7, 8:55 pm EST
The Heat were down 91-85 when Wade slashed to the basket and flung up an off-balance shot while drawing contact from two Cleveland defenders with 1:02 left. His shot didn’t fall, but he hit the floor—hard. As play continued, he looked up at the officials pleading for a whistle and Miami coach Erik Spoelstra ran to midcourt screaming in disbelief.
Spoelstra was given a technical, and Wade was hit with his second “T” moments later. Wade clapped sarcastically and peeled off tape on his fingers before heading to the locker room as the pro-Cleveland crowd booed.
James had 14 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his fourth triple-double this season and 21st of his career. He went over 3,000 assists in the third quarter when he fed Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who knocked down an outside shot to put the Cavs ahead 62-48. James (24 years, 36 days) is the second-youngest player in league history to eclipse the plateau. Only Isiah Thomas (23 years, 322 days) was younger.
Jermaine O’Neal had 19 points and rookie Michael Beasley 15 for the Heat, which blew an 11-point lead in the fourth on Monday to the Cavaliers.
Miami was down 77-63 and in big trouble when Wade began to heat up.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) passes away from Miami Heat's Michael Beasley, left, and Udonis Haslem (40) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBro…
AP - Mar 7, 8:51 pm EST
He was fouled hitting a tough, off-balance jumper and he followed his three-point play with another basket to make it 77-68. Wade then drove the lane and dropped a pass to Udonis Haslem, who scored underneath to pull Miami within seven. Wade’s 3-pointer moments later made it 80-74.
James and Wade exchanged buckets, but then Williams took over.
Cleveland’s point guard scored on two drives and hit a 3-pointer that put the Cavs ahead 89-76. The Heat didn’t quit, though, as Daequan Cook dropped a 3-pointer and Beasley, who was taken back to the locker room earlier in the quarter, made a baseline jumper.
But Miami’s comeback fell short when Wade was thrown out.
Notes
Cavs F Joe Smith, re-signed earlier this week by Cleveland, made his home debut and received a loud ovation when he checked in for the first time in the opening period. Smith had nine points. … Wade, who has been tight with James for years, embraced his buddy’s mom, Gloria, before the opening tap. … The Cavaliers are 36-6 when leading after the first quarter.
CLEVELAND (AP)—Nobody in the NBA bounces back like the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James recorded a triple-double, Mo Williams scored 29 points and the Cavs quickly shook off any hangover from a disappointing loss at Boston by beating Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat 99-89 on Saturday night.
Wade was ejected—for the first time in his career—in the final minute after being assessed a second technical foul. Miami’s superstar was upset after he didn’t call in the lane with the Heat down by just six points. He finished with 25 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds before being sent to the showers.
While running its home record to 28-1, Cleveland improved to a league-best 13-2 in back-to-back games and 12-1 following a loss.
Delonte West added 19 points for the Cavaliers, who played their fifth game in seven nights.
James and Wade did not quite reprise their South Floridian scoring-fest from earlier in the week when the superstars—and, along with Kobe Bryant, MVP favorites—combined for 83 points in Cleveland’s comeback win. But while the league’s top two scorers didn’t shoot the lights out, they stuffed the boxscore and provided the sellout crowd with several memories.
Maybe none as big as Wade getting tossed for arguing.
Cleveland Cavaliers' Delonte West (13) takes an off-balance shot against Miami Heat's Michael Beasley in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers' Delon…
AP - Mar 7, 8:55 pm EST
The Heat were down 91-85 when Wade slashed to the basket and flung up an off-balance shot while drawing contact from two Cleveland defenders with 1:02 left. His shot didn’t fall, but he hit the floor—hard. As play continued, he looked up at the officials pleading for a whistle and Miami coach Erik Spoelstra ran to midcourt screaming in disbelief.
Spoelstra was given a technical, and Wade was hit with his second “T” moments later. Wade clapped sarcastically and peeled off tape on his fingers before heading to the locker room as the pro-Cleveland crowd booed.
James had 14 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his fourth triple-double this season and 21st of his career. He went over 3,000 assists in the third quarter when he fed Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who knocked down an outside shot to put the Cavs ahead 62-48. James (24 years, 36 days) is the second-youngest player in league history to eclipse the plateau. Only Isiah Thomas (23 years, 322 days) was younger.
Jermaine O’Neal had 19 points and rookie Michael Beasley 15 for the Heat, which blew an 11-point lead in the fourth on Monday to the Cavaliers.
Miami was down 77-63 and in big trouble when Wade began to heat up.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) passes away from Miami Heat's Michael Beasley, left, and Udonis Haslem (40) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBro…
AP - Mar 7, 8:51 pm EST
He was fouled hitting a tough, off-balance jumper and he followed his three-point play with another basket to make it 77-68. Wade then drove the lane and dropped a pass to Udonis Haslem, who scored underneath to pull Miami within seven. Wade’s 3-pointer moments later made it 80-74.
James and Wade exchanged buckets, but then Williams took over.
Cleveland’s point guard scored on two drives and hit a 3-pointer that put the Cavs ahead 89-76. The Heat didn’t quit, though, as Daequan Cook dropped a 3-pointer and Beasley, who was taken back to the locker room earlier in the quarter, made a baseline jumper.
But Miami’s comeback fell short when Wade was thrown out.
Notes
Cavs F Joe Smith, re-signed earlier this week by Cleveland, made his home debut and received a loud ovation when he checked in for the first time in the opening period. Smith had nine points. … Wade, who has been tight with James for years, embraced his buddy’s mom, Gloria, before the opening tap. … The Cavaliers are 36-6 when leading after the first quarter.