The Cleveland Cavaliers did it again, eliminating the Washington Wizards in the first round of the NBA playoffs on the Wizards' home court for the third straight year.

LeBron James posted his third career playoff triple-double, and helped contain Caron Butler as the Cavaliers routed the Wizards, 105-88, to end their Eastern Conference best-of-seven series in six games on Friday.

James recorded 27 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists, while two other Cavaliers scored 20 points or more. Wally Szczerbiak scored a career playoff-best 26 and reserve Daniel Gibson added 22. Szczerbiak and Gibson combined for 10 of Cleveland's 11 3-pointers.

Antawn Jamison led Washington with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Butler, the hero of the Wizards' Wednesday Game 5 victory, was limited to 18 points, a far cry from his 32-point outburst in the series' fifth game. Brendan Haywood added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Wizards played without forward Darius Songaila, who was suspended from Friday's game. Washington was already without guard Gilbert Arenas, who ruled himself out for the rest of the season before Game 5 because of his surgically repaired left knee.

Cleveland went on a 21-4 run midway through the second quarter to pull away from Washington. The Wizards coasted along the rest of the way.

Cleveland, which reached the NBA finals a year ago, will face the winner of the Boston-Atlanta series. The series is now tied at 3-3. The deciding Game 7 is on Sunday.

December 5, 2007

Wizards 105, Cavaliers 86 | Box | Video
Caron Butler had 27 points to lead the Washington Wizards past the Cleveland Cavaliers.

January 23, 2008

Cavaliers 121, Wizards 85 | Box | Video
Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 24 without missing from the floor as the Cavs earned their season-high fifth straight victory.

February 22, 2008

Cavaliers 90, Wizards 89 | Box | Video
LeBron James made two free throws with 7.8 seconds left as the Cavaliers beat the Wizards 90-89.

March 13, 2008

Wizards 101, Cavaliers 99 | Box | Video
Caron Butler scored 19 points to lead the Wizards past the Cavaliers.