Kobe Bryant started fast for the Lakers Thursday night, but LeBron James finished stronger, which was the difference in the Cavs victory in a January game with a June feeling.
James dominated the final minutes — scoring seven consecutive points, making a key block on Pau Gasol, putting the Cavs ahead on a powerful driving layup, and making an out-of-this world save on a ball going out of bounds with time running out.
With Mo Williams, without Mo Williams, when James closes games like that there's not much the other team can do.
His attitude after the game showed maturity as well. In past years, the Cavs might have exulted over this win.
Make no mistake — they were pleased.
"It was huge," James said of the second win over the Lakers in as many games.
But he also said he didn't "want to look too far into it."
"As a player you don't want to look too far into one team, beating one team twice, no matter who they are," he said. "The championship still goes through LA. No matter if you beat them four times in a year, in the playoffs you have to beat them in the Finals to take that trophy from them.
"It's a huge win. I can't say it's just any other game, because it's not. But at the same time it's one win and I'm happy we got better tonight."
Added coach Mike Brown: "They have the best record in the league and it could give guys some confidence. It is a win and it's one of 82. You feel good about it because we won the game and I thought we won the game the right way. Other than that, I don't know how much weight it carries."
—Bryant started the game like he was going to score 50, making six of his first eight shots — and barely moving the net with every make. But he finished 12-of-31, meaning after the fast start he shot just 6-for-23.
—It was curious that Phil Jackson rested Bryant the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. During one stop in play, James returned after a rest and Jackson called for Ron Artest, to guard James. Bryant stared at Jackson the entire time, as if to say: My turn too?
–Mike Brown said the way Delonte West ran the offense in Mo Williams' absence was "terrific."
—Now we know why the Cavs treated West so delicately following his offseason arrest. They need him.
—Well, they also did it because they like him, and they support him.
—But with Williams out, the Cavs need West more than ever.
—Bryant on the game: "Their bigs were very active and very physical and wore us down." When is the last time an opponent had that to say about the Cavs?
—Bryant went on to talk about how physical the Cavs have become. "That’s not part of our DNA," Bryant said. "We have to step up and match that and still play skillful basketball."
—The Lakers shot 33.3 percent the final three quarters.
—James certainly seems to be reprising his MVP season. Anyone for a back-to-back news conference at St. V?
I was lucky enough to be in the heezy for this one.
The Q had playoff-like atmosphere, and it was a tough, grind it out game.
Good thing Hixson decided to show up with Mo out; if he didn't, they don't win that game.
LeBron took what was almost a victory lap with seconds left in the game, encouraging the crowd to stand up and celebrate. It was one of those "This is my house" type moments.
Delonte West sprained the ring finger of his shooting hand last night and left the Q wearing a splint on the finger. He will have it examined today.
delonte west was "terrific"? doesn't mike brown mean "terrible"? i didn't see any resemblance of an offense being run until lebron started passing to shaq in the low post in the 3rd quarter. what i saw from delonte was a lot of dribbling and watching him stare at a loose ball at the top of the key without making a single move to go after it.
the refs were far too involved in that game. too many ticky tack calls on both teams. and when they decided to swallow the whistle the breaks went the cavs way. i don't think any part of that game translates to how things go in the postseason. the last time the cavs swept the lakers in the regular season they got beat 4-0 by the spurs.
the only 2 things that I thought Delonte did well were: distribute the ball (good, not great), and hound Kobe (very good, as part of a group defending Bryant).
I will give him the benefit of the doubt, though, with Bryant on him. That raper wasn't on the All-Defensive team for nothing. When he actually decides to play D, it's over for his mark, normally.
lebron was great, no doubt, but his post-game comments sounded more like well-rehearsed PR statements than his true feelings about winning this. you can be sure he was more excited after this one than two wins over the grizzlies.
Geddy,
First, hope that you and the rest of Rush tour again this summer. Secondly, you are right…but then again, you hardly ever hear a good soundbite from a superduperstar. They have too much to lose in this age of constant snooping.
Needs more Mangini coverage…
"the last time the cavs swept the lakers in the regular season they got beat 4-0 by the spurs."
And we all know what happened in the '89 playoffs after the Cavs swept the Bulls during the regular season — I believe it's come to be known as "The Shot".
Terje, no need to be negative with this Cavs team. They were 66-16 last year in the regular season, but I'm sure you had the same uneasy feeling that I had entering the playoffs considering that we were 3-6 against the "big 3" of LA, Orlando and Boston. We especially had a hard time in our regular season games against LA and Orlando. It was obvious that we would have matchup problems against either one of them in the playoffs, and of course we had major problems with Orlando and lost. This year's team can play big and physical to beat the big boys of LA, Orlando and Boston and it can also play small and athletic to handle teams like Atlanta and Phoenix. If we are healthy, we can match up with anyone in a 7 game series this season. I'm have more confidence in this Cavs team than any other in the Lebron era. Your concern about the offense standing around this last game is a valid one, but I think the team was a little disrupted losing Mo and they didn't have much time to adjust to the new rotation. The ball movement this year in general is the best I've seen from any Cavs team in the Lebron era, but of course they still occasionally fall into the bad habit of standing around and watching Lebron dribble. With a superstar like Lebron, I think this will always be a problem, but not near as much of a concern this year since they don't fall into this bad habit near as often as they did in previous years.