Cavaliers comeback and shock Wizards 119-115
BY STONE LEXINGTON
CAVALIERS BEAT WRITER
With only three games remaining on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ regular season schedule, the team is continuing their postseason preparations. Aiding in that venture was the return of head coach Tyronn Lue from a nine-game medical leave for Thursday night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
While Lue was out, associate head coach Larry Drew went 8-1 with the Cavs.
“I thought Larry did a great job,” Lue said. “Just having an associate head coach that’s been a head coach in this league and did a great job, and to come into our environment and perform the way he did was great. There’s no way he shouldn’t have a head job in this league.”
The Wizards nearly spoiled Lue’s return, as the Cavs had to rally from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to take a 119-115 victory in Quicken Loans Arena.
“I told the guys after the game, good job of bailing me out,” Lue said. “It was tough, first game back and not having a point guard and not knowing what sets to call, what to run because you haven’t worked on it.”
Minus point guards George Hill and Jose Calderon due to injury, LeBron James led Cleveland with 33 points, nine rebounds and 14 assists, and personally brought the Cavs back from a 106-90 deficit with 6:06 remaining in the game. It was his 13 points in the final six minutes that most helped Cleveland pull off the miraculous comeback.
James’ aid began when he drained a 26-foot three-pointer that brought Cleveland within a 106-96 deficit with 5:34 to play. When he put down his second straight layup with 2:53 to play, Cleveland trailed 110-104. When he assisted Jeff Green for a dunk less than a minute later, the Cavs trailed by a slim 110-108 margin. Rodney Hood converted two free throws with 1:50 to play to tie the game with 1:50 remaining.
Green regained the lead for Cleveland, 116-115, with two free throws as 21 seconds remained. Washington had the ball with a chance to win after Green’s free throws, but John Wall missed a jumper with just under 10 seconds to play. James secured the rebound, was fouled and made 1-of-2 free throws. Washington had another chance to win the game after James’ freebie, but Cedi Osman intercepted and errant Wall pass that essentially iced the game.
“I think when ‘Bron went back in that fourth quarter, he really pushed the pace, pushed the tempo,” Lue said. “We were able to get stops down the stretch, and that’s how we were able to win the game.”
When the Cavs led 39-26 after the first quarter, it looked like they would easily extend their seven-game home wining streak. The Cavs led 59-46 after a James layup with 2:13 to play until halftime, but Washington closed the quarter with an 8-0 run to trail by a five-point margin at the half. The Wizards kept the momentum flowing in their direction in the second half.
By the time Wall drained a three-pointer with 8:02 showing in the third quarter, the Wizards had battled back to take their first lead since the first quarter, 67-65. When the third quarter ended, Washington had a 90-82 advantage and knew the game was their’s for the taking. The Wizards opened the fourth quarter with a 16-8 run, capped by a Kelly Oubre Jr. dunk that gave Washington the 106-90 lead.
“I was rusty,” Lue said. “But they bailed me out tonight and I told the guys to just continue to keep playing. I think the biggest key is when we don’t have a point guard, we gotta play faster.”
Lue has already begun preparation for the playoffs. After toying with numerous lineups this season, the Cavs head coach said Green will start for the Cleveland heading into the playoffs.
“I just like his versatility,” Lue said. “I think defensive wise, we can put him on (DeMar) DeRozan, we can put him on John Wall, Bradley Beal, you can put him on (Victor) Oladipo. I just like that we can switch a lot of 1-4 stuff.
“It gives us another ball-handler on the floor too at times. I just think it’s the right thing for us to start.”
While there don’t appear to be too many obstacles in the Cavs’ path to a fourth straight NBA Finals, one of their most noteworthy Eastern Conference competitors took a significant blow on Thursday. Boston Celtics point guard and former Cavalier Kyrie Irving has been ruled out of for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
“You just hate to see any player go through that,” Lue said. “A big part of what we did here, a big part of winning the championship. Even though he’s on another team, you still don’t want to see anyone go through that.
“You know how competitive he is, and you how much he wants to win. To go though this and not be able to play in the postseason I know is tough for him.”
The Celtics’ postseason hopes are all but gone with Irving out, and the Cavs would be wise to keep their eye on how some of the other East teams finish down the stretch. Cleveland entered the day with the same record as the Philadelphia 76ers, as both teams continue to battle for the third seed. How important is the third see to Lue?
“It’s important for us to finish healthy, that’s my most important thought,” Lue said. “That’s been our thought process the last four years we’ve been here is just making sure that we’re healthy…You want to win these games and try to finish as high as you can, but the most important thing for us is finishing healthy.”
Cleveland ended their regular season series against Washington winning three of their four meetings and could see the Wizards in the playoffs. If history says anything, the Cavs will be ready for any challenge in the East.
POSTED 04/06/2018 00:22
Lake County Sentinel
Photo by Greg Goth
