NBA playoffs wrap 2018: LeBron James saves Cavaliers from elimination

LeBron James played all but one minute in the first three quarters and led the Cavaliers to victory.

Published : May 26, 2018 11:08 IST

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics.
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics.
lightbox-info

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics.

Did you really think LeBron James was going to let the Cavaliers lose on its home court in an elimination game? Of course you didn't, so don't act surprised Cleveland forced Game 7 with a 109-99 win on Friday.

James led the way with a signature performance scoring 46 points with 11 rebounds and nine assists. James is now averaging 33.9 points per game in 22 career shots at elimination.

However, he did get a lot of help as George Hill, Jeff Green, Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and Kyle Korver combined to score 56 points in the victory.

"Just a lot of heart, a lot of grit," James told ESPN after the game. "They're resilient, no matter who's been in the lineup, no matter the different type of lineups we've had throughout the course of the post season or even the regular season, we're just trying to find an ability to win."

What's worse? He is averaging 34.5 points per game in Game 7's in his career. Things won't get easier for the Celtics at TD Garden in Boston.

Game 7 will be played on Sunday in Boston.

STUDS OF THE NIGHT

Terry Rozier played out of his mind on Friday scoring 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting with seven assists and three rebounds. Jaylen Brown was really good too putting up 27 points on 11-of-18 shooting. He had 13 points in the first quarter alone.

Larry Nance Jr. was key to the Cavaliers' performance off the bench logging big minutes when Kevin Love went down with an injury seven minutes in. Nance finished with 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting with seven rebounds.

DUD OF THE NIGHT

Aron Baynes couldn't keep the Cavaliers off the boards as it finished with 15 offensive rebounds, four of which came from Nance. Baynes hardly played the second half and finished with zero points and four rebounds in 18 minutes.

HIGHLIGHT

Marcus Smart made possibly the prettiest pass of the post season on this assist to Jaylen Brown in the first quarter.

WHAT'S NEXT

Rockets (3-2) at Warriors (2-3) — The Warriors on the brink of elimination for the first time since the 2016 NBA Finals, or maybe more appropriately, the Western Conference finals of the same year. Houston can end Golden State's three-year run atop the Western Conference, but they must do so without Chris Paul who is out with a hamstring injury for Game 6. There has been no update as of yet whether Andre Iguodala will play for Golden State.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment