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LeBron on fire as Cavs sting Hornets for 8th straight win
Source: Agencies |
March 26, 2010, Friday
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LEBRON James led Cleveland to an eighth consecutive victory on Wednesday, scoring 38 points in the Cavaliers' 105-92 win over the New Orleans Hornets.
James tallied five of his nine assists in the third quarter, where the league-leading Cavaliers (57-15) went on a 16-4 run to build a 16-point lead.
"They picked us apart defensively," Hornets forward David West told reporters. "I think LeBron was able to get himself going and getting other guys [involved]. When they're doing that, it's tough to beat them."
Second-year forward J J Hickson scored 20 for the Cavaliers, who welcomed back center Zydrunas Ilgauskas for the first time since he was traded to Washington last month before being released and re-signing with Cleveland.
Marcus Thornton led the Hornets (34-39) with 20 points. Chris Paul had five points in his second game back following a 25-game absence due to a knee injury.
New Orleans has lost four of five and is almost certain to miss out on the playoffs while the Cavaliers move closer to posting the best record throughout the regular season for the second successive year.
Elsewhere in the National Basketball Association, it was: Hawks 86, Magic 84; Celtics 113, Nuggets 99; Bobcats 108, Timberwolves 95; Pacers 99, Wizards 82; Jazz 113, Raptors 87; Nets 93, Kings 79; 76ers 101, Bucks 86; Thunder 122, Rockets 104; Lakers 92, Spurs 83; and Warriors 128, Grizzlies 110.
In New Orleans, Cleveland controlled the game from the outset and shot 57 percent from the floor.
James himself made 15-of-22 shots, Delonte West had 15 points off the bench and Antawn Jamison put up 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Jamison was acquired in a deal that temporarily shipped out Ilgauskas, but the seven feet-three inch center is back with the team he has spent his entire 11-year career. "I tried not to force anything," Ilgauskas said after finishing 0-for-2 with his one point coming from a free throw.
"I felt like I was in space, the floor was very huge for me today. I expect it to shrink up with each game."
New Orleans stayed within striking distance until midway through the third where the Cavaliers pulled away.
Paul had seven assists and played 31 minutes, 10 more than he saw in his return on Monday. Rookie point guard Darren Collison proved more effective, however, adding 17 points and seven assists.
In Atlanta, Josh Smith swooped in to slam through Joe Johnson's missed shot just ahead of the buzzer as the Hawks finally beat Orlando to clinch a third straight trip to the playoffs.
Vince Carter led the Magic with 20 points, while Dwight Howard chipped in with another monster performance: 19 points and a season-high 24 rebounds.
Johnson led six Atlanta players in double figures with 17 points, while Smith scored 15.
Hawks sixth man Jamal Crawford will be heading to the playoffs for the first time in his decade-long career. He came into the night having played 666 games without making it to the postseason, the third-longest drought in NBA history.
James tallied five of his nine assists in the third quarter, where the league-leading Cavaliers (57-15) went on a 16-4 run to build a 16-point lead.
"They picked us apart defensively," Hornets forward David West told reporters. "I think LeBron was able to get himself going and getting other guys [involved]. When they're doing that, it's tough to beat them."
Second-year forward J J Hickson scored 20 for the Cavaliers, who welcomed back center Zydrunas Ilgauskas for the first time since he was traded to Washington last month before being released and re-signing with Cleveland.
Marcus Thornton led the Hornets (34-39) with 20 points. Chris Paul had five points in his second game back following a 25-game absence due to a knee injury.
New Orleans has lost four of five and is almost certain to miss out on the playoffs while the Cavaliers move closer to posting the best record throughout the regular season for the second successive year.
Elsewhere in the National Basketball Association, it was: Hawks 86, Magic 84; Celtics 113, Nuggets 99; Bobcats 108, Timberwolves 95; Pacers 99, Wizards 82; Jazz 113, Raptors 87; Nets 93, Kings 79; 76ers 101, Bucks 86; Thunder 122, Rockets 104; Lakers 92, Spurs 83; and Warriors 128, Grizzlies 110.
In New Orleans, Cleveland controlled the game from the outset and shot 57 percent from the floor.
James himself made 15-of-22 shots, Delonte West had 15 points off the bench and Antawn Jamison put up 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Jamison was acquired in a deal that temporarily shipped out Ilgauskas, but the seven feet-three inch center is back with the team he has spent his entire 11-year career. "I tried not to force anything," Ilgauskas said after finishing 0-for-2 with his one point coming from a free throw.
"I felt like I was in space, the floor was very huge for me today. I expect it to shrink up with each game."
New Orleans stayed within striking distance until midway through the third where the Cavaliers pulled away.
Paul had seven assists and played 31 minutes, 10 more than he saw in his return on Monday. Rookie point guard Darren Collison proved more effective, however, adding 17 points and seven assists.
In Atlanta, Josh Smith swooped in to slam through Joe Johnson's missed shot just ahead of the buzzer as the Hawks finally beat Orlando to clinch a third straight trip to the playoffs.
Vince Carter led the Magic with 20 points, while Dwight Howard chipped in with another monster performance: 19 points and a season-high 24 rebounds.
Johnson led six Atlanta players in double figures with 17 points, while Smith scored 15.
Hawks sixth man Jamal Crawford will be heading to the playoffs for the first time in his decade-long career. He came into the night having played 666 games without making it to the postseason, the third-longest drought in NBA history.
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