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Just Shoot It! Gibson Trey, LeBron Block save Cavs in 100-99 win over Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers' Anthony Parker and Lebron James in the fourth quarter in an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, in Cleveland. James blocked the shot. The Cavaliers won 100-99. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

More photos » Tony Dejak - AP

about 1 month ago: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers' Anthony Parker and Lebron James in the fourth quarter in an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, in Cleveland. James blocked the shot. The Cavaliers won 100-99. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Sometimes there really aren't words to explain what you have just watched.  I mean, how do you explain the Cavaliers 100-99 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at The Q?  Actually, it is pretty easy - his name is LeBron James, and he'll be a 2-time NBA MVP when this season is over.

LeBron's block of Kevin Durant with the Cavs clinging to a 2-point lead with 1.9 seconds to go, followed by two clutch free throws, saved the Cavs again.  With an offense that struggled without Mo Williams and Delonte West, and the embarrassment that saw the Wine and errrrr Blue and Orange MISS 20 free throws.  The Cavs went 20/40 from the line, helping the Thunder stay in a game that the Cavaliers could have easily put away in the first half.

Star-divide

As it was, Cleveland led by 13 at halftime, and it looked as the though the Cavaliers would take advantage of a team playing its 4th game in 6 nights, coming off a loss at the buzzer to Memphis last night. Someone forgot to tell Kevin Durant that.

Durant and his Thunder teammates outscored the Cavaliers 35-21 in the 3rd Quarter, scoring on 15 straight possessions at one point, and actually lead 76-75 heading into the 4th quarter.  The Thunder's lead grew to 6 before the Cavaliers started to hit some shots.

Cleveland actually lead 95-91 with under two minutes to go before ill-advised shots, and poorly timed fouls, allowed the Thunder to take a 96-95 lead.  That set up Daniel Gibson, who struggled mightily in his first start at the point, to bury a wide open three with 8.7 seconds to go to give the Cavs a 98-96 lead, setting up LeBron's last-second heroics.

Shaquille O'Neal turned back the clock a bit, scoring 22 points on 10 shots - in 32 minutes.  Jawad Williams added 12 points - all in the first half - and Gibson chipped in 13 point on 5-13 shooting.  Gibson seemed to get hot at the right time, hitting 3 of his final 5 shots after starting 2-8.  

LeBron was a rebound away from a triple double, but was stellar - 37 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds.  James didn't have a great night from the line, but hit his final 4 free throws in the 4th quarter, ending 13-19 from the line.  He was clutch from behind the arc, hitting 6-10 from three.

Speaking of struggling Cavs, rarely can you say Anderson Varejao is a non-factor in a game - tonight was one of those nights.  Varejao, a League-leader in +/-, was a -16 tonight in 19 minutes.  Zydrunas Ilgauskas struggled with the Thunder's youth and athleticism as well, going scoreless in 11 minutes.

That makes the play of Shaq that much more impressive.

LeBron James found a way and Boobie Gibson hit a big shot.  I am never one to say a team did or did not deserve to win - they keep score and the Cavaliers ended with more points - they deserved to win.  That said, 50% from the free throw line, 17 turnovers, and allowing a team to score on 15 straight possessions makes it much harder than it should be.  Luckily for the Cavs, they have LeBron James, soon-to-be 2-time NBA MVP.

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Comments

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Not yet. We need the Lakers to lose one more game.

And it would be nice if Boston would lose a few more games to take pressure off us.

by WaveOcean on Jan 23, 2010 10:16 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

…and Atlanta.

"I don’t dance too much." --Mike Holmgren

by johnnyphoenix on Jan 24, 2010 1:35 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

you know though….as much as I would like home court I don’t feel like it’s essential this year for us. I feel like we can go in and win anywhere.

"I don’t dance too much." --Mike Holmgren

by johnnyphoenix on Jan 24, 2010 1:36 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

ummm that should be 22 points on 10 shots for Shaq…the 15 attempts was from the stripe

by cavslandrocks on Jan 23, 2010 10:46 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Nice win…but 20-40 from the free throw line is just torture to watch.

"I don’t dance too much." --Mike Holmgren

by johnnyphoenix on Jan 24, 2010 1:34 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Cavs continue to amaze us and demoralize other NBA teams.

On Boobie’s shot, all five Thunder defenders raced back to try and stop the on coming LeBron. Great effort but all for not as he hits Gibson for the open trey!

How can LeBron beat you? Let us count the ways……and enjoy them all!.

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on Jan 24, 2010 2:30 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I completely forgot that there was a game last night. Judging for the recap, it sounded like a good one!

by emily522 on Jan 24, 2010 3:21 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

depends on how you define “good”…it was nerve wracking at best…but a good win

by cavslandrocks on Jan 24, 2010 3:30 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Wow, Shaq with 22 points! Nice.

by emily522 on Jan 24, 2010 3:23 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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