LBJ Carries Cavaliers To Victory As Celtics Comeback Falls Short 74-69 Series Deadlocked At 3-3

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS

LeBron James recorded a double-double including a game high 32 points, and put the Cleveland Cavaliers on his back once again Friday night, leading them to a 74-69 victory over the Boston Celtics at the Q Arena in Cleveland. The win kept Cleveland alive in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final series, as the series is now tied at 3-3.? Game seven of this series will be played in the “New Garden” in Boston Sunday afternoon.

This series has been at times almost painful to watch, as the games have been slogs, long drawn out low scoring affairs, especially the games played in Cleveland. What I will take with me from this series, rather than the play is some of the statements that have come from the participants. The first one that springs to mind especially after Friday night’s game was?a statement made earlier in the series by Boston coach Doc Rivers.? Rivers expressed his shock at how low Cleveland’s LeBron James finished in the MVP voting (LBJ finished fourth, behind winner?Kobe Bryant, New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, and Kevin Garnett.)? Rivers then said he thought James should have won the award. I agree with Coach Rivers 100%, there is one reason and one reason only that the Cleveland Cavaliers are still playing in the NBA Post Season. His name is LeBron James! LBJ has had one consistent teammate since the playoffs began,?Delonte West. ?Daniel Gibson before he?dislocated his shoulder?Wednesday,?had a couple of good games, as has Wally Sczcerbiak. Varejao, Joe Smith, Z, and Ben Wallace?have had moments. But the only reason that there will be a game seven on Sunday is because of LBJ, make up any other reason you are just?deluding yourself. In fact when it comes right down to it there is one? reason that the Cavaliers made the Playoffs, again LBJ. Taking nothing away from Kobe, CP3, or KG, but that to me is the definition of a MVP.

The other statement that will stay with me, is one that the Big Ticket made in a Post Game press conference earlier in the series. ?Garnett said that he wished every fan of the NBA could put on a jersey, and get to experience the difference in pressure, from the preseason to the regular season, and from the regular season to the playoffs.? KG I covered the NBA for? over a decade in Cleveland, but I realized the difference in the pressure long before I ever covered my first?game.? Any long time fan? realizes the difference in intensity, from one transition to the next.? But that still does not explain why your team has?consistently choked on the road since the playoffs began.? A team that lost 16 games in an 82 game season, is 7-6 in the post season. Pressure is a cop out KG! If everything goes according to Hoyle, the Celtics will win Sunday and advance to the?Eastern Conference Finals. But neither of these teams could defeat the Detroit Pistons in the next round at this time. Whom ever advances?will have to pick their game up big time to even have a prayer of playing in the Finals.

This game basically came down to the second?quarter, Cleveland was able to build a big enough advantage to withstand the late Boston surge. The two teams were tied at the?end of the first quarter at 18-18. The Cavaliers pulled ahead in the second quarter and went into the locker room at the half with a 42-33 lead. The margin remained the same at the end of the third quarter, as Cleveland went into the final quarter? ahead 59-50. Boston threatened late in the game as they cut the Cavaliers lead to just 3 points, 72-69, but Cleveland held on for the victory.

LBJ scored 32 points, grabbed 12 boards, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1?block in the Cleveland?victory.?The only other Cleveland player to score?in double figures was Delonte West, who scored?10 points, 3 rebounds.

Boston was led by Kevin Garnett who scored 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks. Paul Pierce was the only other Boston player in double figures as he scored 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, in the Boston loss.

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2 Responses to “LBJ Carries Cavaliers To Victory As Celtics Comeback Falls Short 74-69 Series Deadlocked At 3-3”

Eric on May 17th, 2008 12:21 pm

Lebron James came alive in this series.He was totally shut down in the first two games.Game 7 is coming and it is going to be a slobber knocker.
LBJ Wins Battle; Celtics Win The War Beat Cavaliers In Game Seven 97-92 Head To Eastern Finals » Slam Dunk Central on May 18th, 2008 9:48 pm

[...] What I will take with me from this series, rather than the play is some of the statements that have come from the participants. The first one that springs to mind especially after Friday night?s game was a statement made earlier in the series by Boston coach Doc Rivers. Rivers expressed his shock at how low Cleveland?s LeBron James finished in the MVP voting (LBJ finished fourth, behind winner Kobe Bryant, New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, and Kevin Garnett.) Rivers then said he thought James should have won the award. I agree with Coach Rivers 100%, there is one reason and one reason only that the Cleveland Cavaliers are still playing in the NBA Post Season. His name is LeBron James! LBJ has had one consistent teammate since the playoffs began, Delonte West. Daniel Gibson before he dislocated his shoulder Wednesday, had a couple of good games, as has Wally Sczcerbiak. Varejao, Joe Smith, Z, and Ben Wallace have had moments. But the only reason that there will be a game seven on Sunday is because of LBJ, make up any other reason you are just deluding yourself. In fact when it comes right down to it there is one reason that the Cavaliers made the Playoffs, again LBJ. Taking nothing away from Kobe, CP3, or KG, but that to me is the definition of a MVP. LBJ Carries Cavaliers To Victory As Celtics Comeback Falls Short 74-69 Series Deadlocked At 3-3 [...]

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