LeBron James magic
James had dunks, fadeaway jumpers and he scored the winning basket in a thrilling 109-107 double-overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals.
James finished with 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 51 minutes. He also scored 29 of the Cavs' last 30 points, including 25 straight. Cavs coach Mike Brown is glad he was a witness. "This was the single best game I've ever seen on this level and in this atmosphere hands down," Brown said. "He was absolutely phenomenal."
Despite his playoff-best performance, James was more satisfied with the victory.
"If I did everything I did tonight and we lost, it means nothing," James said. "The win is the most important thing for us, and we need one more win to reach our goal."
The Cavs are in the same position they were in last season in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pistons. This time, however, the Cavs hope for different results. The Cavs can close out the series and the Pistons' season on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in Game 6 at The Q.
"Willing my team to victory is definitely pleasing to me," James said. "This is one of the biggest wins in Cavaliers' history.
"But we have a goal. We can't dwell on this when we have another game on Saturday. We'll do our best to try to win that ball game and get where we want to be all year."
Just like last year, the Cavs trailed, 0-2, in the conference semifinals against the Pistons but roared back to win three straight. The Cavs forced a Game 7, but lost the series. Now, they're one game away from advancing to the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Cavs led by two points late in the first overtime, but Eric Snow fouled Chauncey Billups with 3.1 seconds left. Billups nailed the free throws to tie the score. Snow attempted a desperation shot at the buzzer to send the game into double overtime.
Late in the second overtime, James nailed a fall-away 3-pointer to tie the score. Moments later he scored inside on a layup for a two-point lead with 2.2 seconds left. Billups missed the final shot to end the game and James' spectacular moment.
"I feel terrible," said James, when asked how he felt physically. "I'm everything. I'm banged up, I'm winded, I'm fatigued, and I have all day tomorrow. "But it'll be tough to get some rest when you have a crazy 2-year old [his son James Jr.] running around the house. Hopefully, I can take him to one of his grandmother's house."
The Cavs struggled in the third quarter throughout the postseason. They have been outscored 10 of 14 times in the third entering Thursday's game. James also has struggled in the third (averaging 5.1 points in the postseason), but the Cavs turned things around Thursday. They outscored the Pistons, 19-18, in the third, although James still did not have a breakout third (2-of-6 for six points). However, he did enough.
The Cavs trailed by eight but a 12-4 run, capped by Anderson Varejao's layup, tied the score at 65.
Tayshaun Prince fired up the Pistons and the crowd with a reverse dunk for a five-point lead, but a James' turnaround jumper followed by a James drive and kick to Daniel Gibson for a 3-pointer tied the score at 70.
In the second quarter, the Pistons extended their lead to eight, but the Cavs went to an inside game and cut the deficit to two after Zydrunas Ilgauskas' tip-in. Varejao's dunk with 2:43 left gave the Cavs' their first lead of the quarter. James' tip-in extended the Cavs' lead to three. The Pistons tied the score at 50. The Cavs trailed at the half after two Jason Maxiell free throws.
James had 13 points at the half. Billups had 13 to lead the Pistons. Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes had three fouls each at the half.
Larry Hughes started his second straight game thanks to another shot of pain killer in his injured left foot. Hughes played well early. He nailed consecutive 3-pointers. He finished with eight points in the first quarter, but added only one point in the second half.
The Pistons, however, led, 21-15, with 4:13 left in the first. It was their largest lead of the series. The crucial moment in the quarter happened late. James made a no-look pass to Varejao, who was open in the lane. Antonio McDyess came over and clothes-lined Varejao on the layup attempt. Varejao hit the floor. James ran over but players from each side held everyone back.
McDyess received a flagrant two foul, and he was ejected. James received a technical but remained in the game.
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