LBJ’s Second Half Offense Carries Cleveland Over Atlanta 98-94

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was surprisingly quiet offensively during the first half of Cleveland’s game Wednesday night as they hosted the Atlanta Hawks. LBJ only took 5 shots, and scored 4 points in the first 24 minutes of play, and even then Atlanta had just a 1 point lead at the end of the first half. Atlanta failing to capitalize on an opportunity to open up a big lead when James was not scoring proved to be their undoing, as LBJ scored 32 points, in the second half and Cleveland ended up winning their first game of 2008 98-94. James carried Cleveland to the home stretch scoring 19 points in the game’s final period, and 12 points in the last 2 minutes of the game.

The Cavaliers led at the end of the first quarter 22-19, but the Hawks who had 4 players in double figures in the game grabbed the razor thin 38-37 lead at the half. Although the game remained close all night as there were 15 ties, and the lead changed hands 29 times, Cleveland outscored Atlanta in the second half 61-56 to clinch the win.

James shot 13-22 from the floor, 1-3 from outside the mark, and 9-11 at the line for his game high 36 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block. Larry Hughes scored 14 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 rebounds, Drew Gooden scored 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist. Daniel Gibson came off the bench to score 11 points, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 rebound, and Anderson Varejao scored just 8 points, but had a game high 11 boards, and 3 assists.

Atlanta was led by Joe Johnson who shot 8-18 from the floor, 4-6 from outside the arc, and 4-4 from the line for a team high 24 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists. Josh Smith scored 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Marvin Williams scored 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Josh Childress came off the bench for the Hawks, and scored 13 points, 4 steals, 2 boards, 1 assist. Cleveland improves to 15-17, while Atlanta is now 15-14.