James’ epic start helps Cavs keep pace in play-off series
ROCKETS CRUSH TIMBERWOLVES 102-82 TO SEIZE A 2-0 SERIES LEAD
LeBron James crystallised his reputation as one of the best play-off performers in NBA history as the Cleveland Cavaliers rebounded from a Game 1 rout with a 100-97 win over the Indiana Pacers.
James scored 20 of his 46 points in the opening quarter, getting off to a torrid start in which he single-handedly outscored the Pacers 13-0 and 16-1 to begin game two of the first round Eastern Conference series.
“My mentality was we got to go back to Indiana tied 1-1,” James said. “We hadn’t scored like we are accustomed to doing so far so I wanted to see if I had a good hand to start. My guys kept coming to me and I was able to make a few buckets.”
In the late game, the Houston Rockets crushed the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-82 to seize a 2-0 series lead.
Chris Paul had 27 points as the Rockets drained 16 three pointers compared to just five threes for the Timberwolves. Nemanja Bjelica led the Timberwolves with 16 points.
Cleveland bounced back from an embarrassing 98-80 loss at home in game one and the mighty James set the tone early on Wednesday, giving credence to coach Tyronn Lue’s pre-game prediction that if he showed up, the Cavs would level the series.
He did exactly that, shooting 17 of 24 field goals and delivering 12 rebounds and five assists as the Cleveland had to survive a late fourth-quarter charge by the Pacers.
Great job
“He did a great job of just being aggressive and attacking the basket for our team. LeBron did a great job setting the tone offensively,” Lue said.
The 33-year-old James also helped put the game away with two clutch free throws with 18 seconds left to make it 99-92.
Pacers star Victor Oladipo made a 26 foot jumper at the buzzer to close out the scoring. Oladipo finished with a team high 22 points in the loss.
The series now shifts to Indiana for game three on Friday.
James has never lost a firstround series and being down 0-1 marked another first for James, whose teams have always managed to come out firing on all cylinders before. Game one was so one-sided the Cavs recorded the second-fewest points of their season.
But these are not normal times for Cleveland as the highs and lows have become more acute, leaving fans wondering, which version will show up on any given night.