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LeBron returns to propel surging Cavs past Sixers 100 - 95
March 12, 2010
Nearly three hours before tipoff, LeBron James was shooting jumpers at the Wachovia Center. James always works hard, but this was with a specific purpose -- to test his gimpy right ankle, which had kept him sidelined for the past two games. After a brief workout, he knew the ankle was ready for game action. James scored 23 points, handed out 10 assists and grabbed six rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a five-point deficit in the fourth to oust the Philadelphia 76ers 100-95 before a sellout crowd of 20,433. "It was fun for me," James said. "The game of basketball is supposed to be fun. For us, it is always fun. We go out every night and compete at a high level and we have fun at what we do and we enjoy it." James had plenty of help from his teammates, even though Cleveland played without Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison, who had left knee stiffness. Delonte West scored 17 on 7-for-12 shooting in 30 minutes and also clinched the win with two free throws in the final seconds. Anderson Varejao picked up a double-double with 12 and 12 rebounds as the Cavaliers won their league-best 51st game and improved to an amazing 23-11 on the road. It was also Cleveland's seventh consecutive victory in Philadelphia.
The Cavaliers won with defense, especially on the perimeter as they limited Philadelphia to 2-for-15 shooting from 3-point territory. "LeBron made some good plays on the weak side coming up with a block at the rim and even coming up with tipped balls and steals," said Cleveland coach Mike Brown. "That was part of the reason why we were able to get the win. It was good to see." The Sixers rallied from 11 down to take an 85-80 lead early in the fourth. Back-to-back turnovers by Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday cost the Sixers in the final minute of the game. Trailing 98-95, Holiday had the ball but made an errant pass under the basket and it was intercepted by West.
"It was a play for Jrue for a catch-and-shoot," Philadelphia coach Eddie Jordan explained. "Jrue was open." Iguodala scored a game-high 30, including 16 in the first. It was the third time Iguodala reached the 30-point plateau this season, but the first since Dec. 9 against the Pistons. Elton Brand contributed 24 and nine rebounds and Thaddeus Young scored 15 off the bench. Iguodala was especially active with a couple of highlight-reel dunks and some terrific passes. "I told myself when I rebound the ball, I can get myself more opportunities," said Iguodala, who added seven rebounds and five assists. "When I can get seven or eight rebounds per night, I am able to create, get good looks and start the break. I think we got a lot of fast-break points and we were just going back at them. We didn't have to settle into a half-court game."
Whether it's a half-court game or a faster pace, the Cavaliers can do both very well. That's a major reason why they have won 51 games. "We feel confident playing any style," Williams said. "We have the talent to do it. It's nice to get out and run, but in the playoffs, you have to defend."