LBJ Shot Down Stretch Gives Cavaliers Fourth Staright Win; Beat Jazz 107-103

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Cleveland Cavaliers won their fourth straight game Saturday night defeating the Utah Jazz in a battle by a final score of 107-103. The Cavaliers were trailing with 28 seconds to play when LeBron James drove the lane putting the ball up and in and was fouled on the play giving his team a 103-101 lead. Both teams were playing short handed as Utah was without one of their cornerstones point guard Deron Williams who was not with the team for personal reasons. Cleveland was without center Shaquille O’Neal who had a shoulder strain.

Carlos Boozer recorded a double-double for the Jazz with a game high 25 points while rookie Eric Maynor added 24; LeBron James and Mo Williams led Cleveland as each player scored 21 points and J.J. Hickson once again in the starting lineup had 20 points in the victory. The Cavaliers after starting off the season 0-2 have gone 7-1 in their last 8 games.

The Cavaliers came out strong in the first ending the quarter leading 34-22. Utah would have the hot hand in the second quarter outscoring Cleveland however they would still trail as the two teams walked into the locker rooms at the half with the Cavaliers on top 59-54.

Both teams had trouble getting on track offensively in the third however Cleveland was able to increase their lead and would enter the fourth with a 78-72 advantage. Scoring was not a problem for either team in the final 12 minutes and with 1:55 left to play Carlos Boozer gave the Jazz their first lead of the second half at 97-96 after knocking down a pair at the line. The two teams volleyed the lead back and forth until James gave Cleveland the lead for good withe the 3 point play with 28 seconds remaining in the game.

LeBron James had 21 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block while Mo Williams added 21 points, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals and 1 rebound. Cavaliers second year forward J.J. Hickson had another strong game with 20 points while Anthony Parker put up 14 points. Jamario Moon came off the bench with 11 points while Zydrunas Ilgauskas getting the start in the middle had 10 points.

Carlos Boozer recorded a double-double with 25 points, 12 boards, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal while rookie Eric Maynor scored 24 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal. Mehmet Okur, Wes Matthews and Andrei Kirilenko each scored 13 points for the Jazz while Paul Millsap added 11 points. Cleveland with a record now of 7-3 will play host to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Utah now 4-6 will be off until Wednesday and will host the Toronto Raptors.

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