LBJ Scores Winning Bucket Cavaliers Beat Blazers In Thriller 84-83

LeBron James recorded a double-double, 37 points, 14 rebounds, including 17 points, in the fourth quarter and the game winning basket with less than one second left as the Cleveland Cavaliers squeezed by the Portland Trail Blazers 84-83. LBJ scored 2 more points, in the fourth then the entire Blazers team, as the Cavaliers rallied from a first half deficit.

Portland came out of the starting blocks strong, leading the Cavaliers 29-20 at the end of the first quarter. Cleveland was able to shave 2 points off the lead by the end of the second quarter 48-42. Portland maintained a 68-62 edge at the end of the third quarter, but James powered Cleveland past the Blazers in the fourth as he scored 17 of the teams 22 points, while Portland succumbed to Cleveland’s increased defensive intensity.

James shot 13-29 from the floor, 3-6 from outside the arc, 8-12 from the line, for his 37 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. He was the only Cleveland player to score in double figures. Cleveland shot only 39.2% from the floor for the game but the team did hit 50% from three point range as they shot 7-14 from outside the arc.

Portland was led by Brandon Roy, and LaMarcus Aldridge, both scored 16 points each. Both players were named Wednesday to the Sophomore team of the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge. Roy had 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, Aldridge grabbed 9 rebounds, 2 assists. Travis Outlaw came off the bench to score 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, Steve Blake scored 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal in the loss. Cleveland is now 25-19, Portland is 26-19.