LBJ Goes Double-Double In Double O/T Cavaliers Beat Bobcats 113-106

LeBron James had a double-double, a game score of 31 points, and a game and career high of 19 rebounds, as he led six Cleveland Cavaliers players in double figures to defeat the Charlotte Bobcats in double overtime Friday night 113-106. James delighted the home crowd at the Q Arena in Cleveland with 8 points in the final overtime period. Gerald Wallace had a double-double for the Bobcats for the third consecutive game as he scored 27 points, and pulled down 12 rebounds.

The Bobcats have been red hot this week defeating the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday 115-99 with Nets point guard Jason Kidd registering a triple-double, and then went into the “New Garden” and beat the Boston Celtics 95-83 Wednesday night. Charlotte seems to be jelling as the addition of Jason Richardson from Golden State seems to have been the missing ingredient that could take them from being a “doormat” to contender status. Sam Vincent the rookie head coach seems to have a good feel for his team. Although they will probably still qualify for the lottery this season, things are starting to take shape in Charlotte.

As befits a game that took two overtimes to resolve, this game was tight throughout the contest as the two teams were tied 25 times, and the lead changed hands 32 times. Charlotte broke out on top in the first quarter leading by just 2 points 37-35, Cleveland separated from them in the second quarter going into the locker room with a 58-51 lead. Charlotte had a strong third quarter and had 77-69 advantage going into the final period. But Cleveland came roaring back in the fourth outscoring the Bobcats 24-16 to tie the game at the end or regulation at 93-93. The two teams had trouble scoring in the first overtime as they were tied 100-100, and were forced to play the extra period. James gave Cleveland the early lead hitting a dagger from outside the arc to make it 103-100. James hit one at the line and then a “J” and Damon Jones put the Cavaliers out of reach with another trey making it 109-102.

LBJ shot 10-20 from the floor, 2-7 from outside the arc, and hit 9-15 from the line for his game high 31 points, along with his 19 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks. Anderson Varejao who was listed as doubtful with a strained left Achilles tendon and bruised left knee, did not appear to be in pain with a double-double 16 points, a career high 18 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals. Larry Hughes scored 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, Daniel Gibson came off the bench scoring 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, Drew Gooden scored 10 points, 6 boards, 1 block 1 steal.

Wallace along with his 27 points, 12 rebounds, had 4 steals, 3 assists, 1 block, Nazr Mohammed had a double-double off the bench, 21 points, 15 boards, 1 block, 1 steal. Jason Richardson scored 19 points, 8 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, Matt Carroll came off the bench scoring 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist, 1 steal. Raymond Felton also had a double-double, 12 points, a game high 11 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal. Cleveland is now 19-18, Charlotte 13-22.