James guides Cavs to thrilling victory
Washington, Feb. 7: LeBron James sank an astonishing 3-pointer to force overtime and Kyrie Irving sparkled late as the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted Washington Wizards 140-135 on Monday in an epic NBA thriller.
A game featuring playoff-level intensity from tip-off to last shot saw the defending champions rally in overtime after James had fouled out while the Wizards, who saw their 17-game home win streak snapped, served notice they will be a formidable foe when the playoffs arrive.
On the same night the New York Daily News reported unnamed sources saying James was pushing for the Cavs to trade Kevin Love to New York for former Olympic team-mate Carmelo Anthony, Love scored 39 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, making major plays late to doom the Wizards.
With the Wizards leading 118-117 and 12 seconds remaining, James drove the length of the court but missed a layup, setting up two John Wall free throws for a 3-point Washington lead with 3.4 seconds remaining.
Love hurled a long pass to James along the right sideline and the fourtime NBA Most Valuable Player banked in a shock fadeaway 3-pointer over Washington’s Bradley Beal to deadlock the game at 120-120.
James, who also made three consecutive 3pointers for Cleveland late in regulation, fouled out seconds into overtime trying to defend a shot by Beal, who scored a game-high 41 points, the last of them on a 3pointer that put Washington ahead 133131. Irving answered with a baseline jumper and a 3pointer to put the Cavaliers ahead to stay. Marcin Gortat pulled the Wizards within 136135 but Irving and Love each hit two late free throws to seal the victory, snapping a sevengame Wizards win streak, their longest in 12 years.
James scored 32 points and passed out a careerbest 17 assists, Irving scored 11 of his 23 points in overtime and Tristan Thompson added 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
I think they respect us. That’s the most important thing. Throughout the game LeBron said, ‘You all are playing some hell of a basketball right now.’ —JOHN WALL Wizards player Wizards’ home run comes to an end Miami continue winning streak
Goran Dragic scored 33 points, including a career-high seven 3pointers on his first seven shots from beyond the arc, and Miami’s win streak reached 11 games with a 115-113 victory at Minnesota.
DeMar DeRozan returned after missing seven games with a sprained ankle and scored 31 points to lead Toronto over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 118-109.
Marcus Morris had 19 points and Andre Drummond added 16 points and 17 rebounds in Detroit’s 113-96 home win over Philadelphia.