Dec

25

LBJ’s Double-Double Cools Off Heat Cavaliers Win 96-82

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main 

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LeBron James had yet another double-double a game high 25 points, and a game high 12 assists, as the Cleveland Cavaliers gave their fans at the Q Arena a Christmas present, a 96-82 win over the Miami Heat. Cleveland also had big games from two members of their bench, Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao who scored?a combined?31 points.

When this game was announced as the NBA released their televised game schedule, it was looked at as a “prestige game.” It was assumed that both Miami and Cleveland would be at or near the top of their respective divisions, it has not turned out that way. Miami is currently in last place in the Southeast Division, and Cleveland is currently in third place in the Central Division 8 games behind Division leaders the Detroit Pistons. Injuries have played a role in both teams less than stellar starts. Miami spent most of the first month of the season without star Dwyane Wade, who was recovering? from off-season surgery. Then last week they lost backup center Alonzo Mourning, who tore his patella and quadriceps tendons, and is out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery.

Cleveland has had their own array of problems, starting with the late arrivals of two restricted free agents Sasha Pavlovic, and Anderson Varejao. Pavlovic,?signed with the team in early November, Varejao did not end up playing his first game for Cleveland until December 11. Cleveland has also played for long stretches without Larry Hughes(thigh contusion) and star LeBron James(sprained left?index finger) due to injuries. The?team still is without veteran forward Donyell Marshall.

Still despite the lackluster records, the two teams were quite entertaining?not only to the crowd at the Q Arena, but to a National T.V. audience. Cleveland took the lead in the first?quarter 25-17, but Miami had a four point advantage at? the end of the half at 47-43. Cleveland however got serious in the second half but it took a wakeup call to do it. Miami led the Cavaliers 59-52, midway through the third quarter, when Cleveland turned up their defensive pressure. Larry Hughes who was back in the starting lineup for the first time since getting injured was all over D-Wade like a bad suit.?Wade did get his first basket of the second half until the?4:01 mark of the final quarter. Meanwhile Cleveland went on a 15-0 run to take a 67-59 lead over the Heat.?Cleveland never looked back as the outscored?Miami 53-35 in the second half.

James shot 9-19 from the floor, 7-11 from the line for his 25 points, along with his 12 assists, he had 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal. Drew Gooden one board short of a double-double had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist. Gibson scored 16 points off the bench, 2 steals, 1 rebound, Varejao had 15 points, 7 boards, 1 assist. Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.

D-Wade scored 22 points, as he shot 7-18 from the floor, 8-16 from the line, 8 assists, 6 rebounds. Ricky Davis scored 15 points, 2 rebounds, Shaquille O’Neal scored 13 points,?9 rebounds,?2 blocks, 1 assist.?Udonis Haslem scored only 6 points, but had a game high 13 rebounds for the Heat. Cleveland improves to 13-16, while Miami falls to 8-20.

? Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com?



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One Response to “LBJ’s Double-Double Cools Off Heat Cavaliers Win 96-82”

  1. Water Cooler Knowledge « The Impregnable Pundit on December 26th, 2007 11:06 am

    [...] The Miami Heat are horrible.? Cleveland…slightly better. (Slam Dunk Central) [...]

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