Wrap-Up – Just when you thought you’ve seen every type of game-winning shot that Cleveland’s future Hall of Famer has in his toolbox, he breaks out another one to save the day.
Saturday night’s dagger came in the form of a running jump-hook, which LeBron James floated over the outstretched arms of Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez with 1.9 seconds to play to give the Cleveland the 90-88 lead. Jarrett Jack’s three-quarter-court heave at the buzzer drew iron but nothing more – preserving the Cavaliers’ perfect record at The Q.
LeBron had tied the game 14 seconds earlier, canning a pair of free throws to give Cleveland a three-point lead with 16 seconds to play. But on Brooklyn’s next possession, J.R. Smith fouled Joe Johnson just behind the three-point line – and the Nets veteran canned all three to tie the game at 88.
After a timeout, LeBron brought the ball into the frontcourt, worked around a Tristan Thompson screen, planted and released the soft hook from the lane. The game-winner caressed twine to give the Wine and Gold their ninth straight home win to start the season.
Including Saturday’s nail-biter, the Cavaliers have actually won 11 straight regular season contests dating back to last year, including 29 of their last 30 dating back to last January.
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James notched 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win – going 4-of-8 from the floor in the final period, 10-of-22 overall, adding nine boards, five assists and a steal. It marked the sixth time this season that the 11-time All-Star netted double-figures in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Love did his heavy lifting in the previous period – tallying 12 of his 26 points in the third quarter, going 4-for-7 from beyond the arc to awaken a Cavaliers club playing its third game in four nights. On the night, Love went 8-of-14 from the field, including 6-of-11 from deep and 4-of-4 from the stripe.
Mo Williams finished with 14 points, going 7-for-13 from the floor and Tristan Thompson, who doubled-up in 31 minutes off the bench with 10 points and 11 boards – five off the offensive glass – rounded out the Cavaliers in double-figures.
But the Cavaliers also got big contributions from a pair of players who didn’t notch double-figures and were, in fact, a combined 4-of-17 from the floor: J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova.
Smith was outstanding on the defensive end, blanketing Joe Johnson down the stretch and finishing with a career-high four blocks to go with three steals and five boards. Delly played his usual brand of tenacious D while leading the Wine and Gold with six assists – the sixth time he’s paced the club this season.
Turning Point --- Coming off a two-game trip, the Wine and Gold weren’t at their best for much of Saturday night, and they fell behind by a dozen late in the second quarter.
But Kevin Love’s third-quarter barrage – not quite as bombastic as his red-hot second period on Monday night against Orlando – awoke the sleeping giant. And when he canned his second straight bomb midway through the quarter, the Wine and Gold had come all the way back, taking a 61-60 lead and setting up the decisive final period.
By the Numbers – 6 … straight games that Tristan Thompson has grabbed double-digit rebounds. Saturday night marked his third double-double of the season (and 93rd as a Cavalier). He’s averaging 12.5 rebounds per contest during that stretch.
Quotable – LeBron James, on his game winning shot with 1.9 to play …
” It was a designed play. Coach called up the play, we executed it to perfection and that was the end result. Obviously I wanted the ball in my hands down the stretch. I feel like I can make something happen for not only myself, but for my team. I am happy that I was able to come through for us.”
Up Next – After winning their ninth straight home game, the Cavaliers look to make it double-digit wins when they welcome Washington to The Q for the first time this season on Tuesday night. The Wine and Gold get right back on the road for a weekend back-to-back – on Friday night in New Orleans followed by a Saturday night meeting with the Heat in South Beach. They return to The Q for a Western Conference battle with the Blazers next Tuesday night.