James shines as Cavs set the pace against Indiana
Los Angeles, April 19: LeBron James crystalised his reputation as one of the best playoff performers in NBA history on Wednesday as the Cleveland Cavaliers rebounded from a Game One 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 singlehandedly outscored the Pacers 13- 0 and 16- 1 to begin game two of the first round Eastern Conference series.
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 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 fourthquarter charge by the Pacers.
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 first round series and being down 0- 1 marked another first for James, whose teams have always managed to come out firing on all cylinders before.
In Oklahoma City, Derrick Favors finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds while Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points as the Utah Jazz toppled the Thunder 102- 95 to even their first round series 1- 1.
— AFP