LeBron James’ fourth-quarter sizzle seals the Cavaliers’ Central crown in 99-94 victory over Indiana
In a flash of speed, skill and instinct, James created a Cliffs Notes version of his Most Valuable Player campaign.
Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerLeBron James completed a dominating fourth-quarter stretch for the Cavaliers by splitting the Pacers for a short bank shot for two points in the final minutes of Wednesday's game at The Q.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It would be easy to shake a finger at the Cavaliers for their overall performance Wednesday night, allowing a poor team to nearly upset them at home after having an 18-point second-half lead.
But doing that wouldn't be fair because it would overlook the three minutes of fury LeBron James whizzed through late in the game. In a flash of speed, skill and instinct, James created a Cliffs Notes version of his Most Valuable Player campaign.
Yes, it was done against an Indiana Pacers team that was missing four key players -- including star Danny Granger -- because of injury. But, yes, the 99-94 victory had special significance, clinching the Cavs (54-15) the Central Division title.
Combined with James' little highlight burst, it is easy to overlook some of the flaws in the complete product. Overall, James had 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks. That may seem impressive, but not at much as the blow-by-blow of his fourth-quarter dominance.
4:08: With the Cavs up a point, Pacers guard Brandon Rush drove for what he thought was a go-ahead layup. But James soared from behind and smashed the ball off the backboard.
"I didn't hear anybody say that he was behind me," Rush said later. "But I knew he was coming."
4:02: The ball sprung so hard off the glass that it created a fastbreak, with James leading. He zipped a pass to Anderson Varejao for an easy layup.
3:43: The Pacers attempted to feed center Roy Hibbert, who led his team with 20 points on the undersized Cavs, in the post. But Varejao got his hand on the entry pass and there was James again, sinking down to play help defense and ending up with the ball.
3:35: Away the Cavs went again, led by James. He dumped the ball to Varejao and then headed to the rim. Varejao hit James in stride for a slam dunk, Cavs are up five.
"That's all phases of my game in a couple possessions," James said. "That's what solidifies who I am on both sides of the floor."
3:09: Pacers' guard A.J. Price tried to break up the run with a 3-pointer but missed. Guess who soars over everyone to find the rebound? James.
2:33: After the Cavs got a free point when the Pacers were called for illegal defense -- Hibbert was called for three seconds because he was trying to guard against a James foray -- James faked a drive and stepped back to hit an 8-foot jumper.
"There was a stretch where he did everything," coach Mike Brown said. "He blocked shots, he rebounded, he pushed the ball, he scored the ball, he assisted the ball, he dunked the ball."
Wait, there's more.
1:49: After James reminded all he was human, missing a 19-foot jumper, he quickly made up for it by picking Rush's pocket again, this time on a drive.
1:42: After making a U-turn after the steal, James attracted half of the Pacers' roster on the right side of the floor -- just in time to make a no-look whip pass to Antawn Jamison, who had 17 points and nine rebounds, for an easy layup.
1:21: Cavs call timeout, James is panting. Understandably.
1:08: After the Pacers hit a couple of 3-pointers to stay very much in the game, James spun off a screen and banked in a 9-foot jumper while falling to his left.
57.8: With the Pacers down just six points, James came up with another block. This time he caught Price from behind and slapped the ball out of bounds.
Game over. The Cavaliers get their fifth consecutive win thanks to a James burst with six points, two blocks, two assists and a steal.
"I know what our goals are," James said. "And we can't afford at this point in the season to take a step back and me being a leader I go out there with that mindset."
Varejao, who had a significant supporting role in the finish, had 13 points with four rebounds. He and J.J. Hickson, who had 13 points, fairly offset Hibbert's game.
Other than Hibbert, the Pacers (22-46) hung in thanks to Troy Murphy, who had 19 points and 15 rebounds. Both took advantage of the Cavs being a little flat at times, something they battled in recent wins over bottom dwellers like the Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons.
But it was a victory and the Cavs are now 29-3 against teams currently below .500 with the last loss coming back on Nov. 18 at Washington.
"We've got to figure out a way to be not as flat," Brown said. "Obviously you don't want that to happen, but this is a long season. For us to be able to get the win is good."
Cleveland Indians beat Reds to gain Cactus League split
Fausto Carmona tries to be the quiet before the storm.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Fausto Carmona is trying to calm down so he can pitch better. It's only spring training, but it might be working.
Carmona overcame early troubles to pitch four good innings Wednesday night in the Indians 8-2 victory over the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Carmona allowed one run on two hits in the first inning, but that was it.
"I'm not trying to throw every pitch 100 mph," said Carmona. "I'm relaxing and going pitch-to-pitch."
Carmona went 5-12 last year and the Indians need him to rebound in a big way. This spring he's allowed one run in seven innings.
"I'm not worried about (replacing) CC (Sabathia) or Cliff Lee," said Carmona. "I'm just thinking about pitching."
Carmona, Yohan Pino, Josh Judy and Joe Smith combined on a three-hitter. After the first inning, the Reds only hit was Orlando Cabrera's RBI double in the sixth.
Shortstop Jason Donald and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, the first two hitters in the Tribe's lineup, had two RBI each. Shin-Soo Choo, Nick Weglarz and Matt LaPorta had two hits each. Beau Mills hit a homer in the ninth.
Bronson Arroyo took the loss for the Reds.
The Indians lost to the Rockies, 6-3, Wednesday afternoon in Tucson.
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