James delivers again
Lebron James, now 13-0 in first-round NBA playoffs, fired 45 points yesterday in powering Cleveland to a 105-101 victory over Indiana—his output putting another asterisk across his name.
It was the second all-time best in a Game 7 decider, eclipsed only by Michael Jordan, the greatest of all time by the estimation of many pundits.
There were anxious moments, though, towards yesterday’s endgame.
James went to the locker in the fourth, initially for hydration issues.
In Game 6, James was on the bench for a full fourth quarter. That was when it appeared Cleveland’s creaming in Indianapolis was irreversible. It was a lost Cleveland cause as early as the third quarter.
Rest the soldier’s weary soul, for tomorrow is another day. No use forcing the issue. The 124-87 Game 6 blowout of Cleveland seemed destined.
But come Game 7, James was fresh as a daisy from the first jump up to practically the end of yesterday’s first half.
He fired 26 points alone in the first 24 minutes—four points more than his total of 22 in Game 6.
He slowed down somewhat in the third, paving the way for Indiana to erase an 11-point, 5443 halftime deficit behind Victor Oladipo’s hot hands.
That’s because James appeared fagged out, unrested practically for three quarters.
Only after the Bogdanovich-Oladipo five-point combine that allowed Indiana to capture a 61-58 lead did James reappear.
After JR Smith tied it with a three, James charitied to give Cleveland a 62-61 edge.
And when Oladipo made it 64-all with a triple after two charities by George Hill, it angered James all the more.
The greatest player of earth erupted for all of Cleveland’s next 11 points, including two triples and one dunk, for a 75-72 buffer that the Cavs never surrendered.
James fired 38 of his 45 points in the first three quarters alone, rested a leg threatened by cramps early in the fourth before returning to finish a mission possible. He strung up three points for Cleveland’s secure 103-96 bubble with only under 20 seconds left.
Against Toronto on Wednesday at the start of the NBA’s second-round playoffs, King James’ 33-year-old legs will be tested yet again. Not his talent. Never.
Against Toronto on Wednesday at the start of the NBA’s second-round playoffs, King James’ 33-year-old legs will be tested yet again. Not his talent. Never.