Cavaliers Undo James's Triple-Double to upset Heat

In an horrendous season of losses, Cleveland got the win it wanted most.

The Cavaliers took down LeBron James.

Despite blowing a 23 point lead, the Cavs rallied and beat Miami Heat 102-90 on Tuesday night, who received a dose of revenge against James, who made his second return visit to Cleveland since he left the last summer.

JJ Hickson scored 21 and Anthony Parker scored 20 for the Cavs, who were ashamed of James and the Heat 118-90 on Dec. 2 - the night when the Cleveland fans unleashed their anger is a superstar.

This time, James left the ground, hanging his head. He finished with 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

In the last seconds, a crowd of 20,562 cut loose to win even the most loyal fans could not imagine Cleveland. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who has accused James quit in the playoffs last year after the two-time MVP said he was going to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in an ill-conceived TV special, everybody hit the high hand in hand.

On the floor behind, headed Parker, the last 3-pointers with 2:47 left capped a 12-0 run and put the heat away, Cavs fans.

"You deserve it," he said.

Cavaliers were a different team - literally - in a series against the Heat here in December. Injuries and trades have reduced list of Cleveland to a shell of a James has played with and helped win 60 games last season.

Heat almost rallied from 23 down and tied 83-all on Mike Bibby March 7 points with 7:03 left. But Miami, which wasted a chance to move into second place in the ranking of the East, has no goal for 4:24, gave the Cavs to get their 15th victory after winning the most lopsided of this season.

Wade added 24 and the Heat, who had their winning streak stopped at five.

Cleveland shot 56 percent in the countryside, a number that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra probably will use it to motivate his team to play better defense, as he prepares for the playoffs.

Baron Davis got his first start since joining Cleveland in a trade, and the veteran scored 10 points and leadership. Cavs also got a boost from center Ryan Hollins, who had 13 points, three blocks and played physical - something no player has done in Cleveland in December.

There was not the same poison and hatred that has swept the first visit of James four months ago. The audience was energetic, but not so angry action against James, who was booed every time he touched the ball. Security was extremely high, but there were no incidents reported.

The teams took turns to go on long runs in a wild district, comings and goings of others.

Cleveland scored 18 straight points and opened a lead of 71-48, sending their fans into a frenzy and put the fire in a deep hole. But Miami was far from over by Wade hit a couple 3-pointers and scored 10 points in a 19-1 syringe that fired the Heat within 72-67 on jumper James.

Christian Eyenga of 3-points with two seconds left put the Cavs front 75-67. James threw a 3-pointer a few steps after the half-field at the end of the quarter, a shot that was initially ruled no good, but changed after officials reviewed replays of television between periods and determined that there was a clock error.

James arrived at the arena, home of professional basketball in seven seasons at 05:12 wearing a helmet and a shirt with the inscription: "Long Live The King" James has security guards and greeted a few before diving into the locker room for second time visitors.

James was not sure what he would face, but he was confident things would not be nearly as hostile as his previous visit.

"I expect the worst," he said. "No. But the worst of the last time, Dec. 2?"

James dodged the first blast of whistles, remaining players in the locker room during presentations. He entered the scene around the dark, when the Cavs came.

After the return of Santiago in December, the Cavs were criticized by their fans for the way he acted around his former teammate. Fans thought they were too many jokes, and thought someone needed to step up to Santiago and to provide a drive failure.

Hollins has taken it upon himself to get physical with Wade and hit him with a forearm. Moments later, the two had words and were both assessed technicals.

James Hickson knocked on his rear in the way later in the first quarter, but James was shot as he fell to the floor and closed the game with three points. It ended the quarter with 13 points but failed to score in the second when the Cavs built a lead of 16 points.

Miami cut in half with a 8-0 run, but Davis knocked down 3-pointer to give the horn Cavs 53-42 halftime lead.

Cavs thrash Kings for rare road win

Sacramento, California - Ramon Sessions scored 20 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a rare road victory, against the Sacramento Kings 97-93 on Wednesday night.

Cleveland opened the season by winning three of its first four road games, but had only one win on March 4 in New York since then.

Cleveland, which snapped a four-game losing streak overall, has dropped 28 of 29 games away from home since November 10.

Marcus Thornton had 23 points for the Kings, who lost seven of eight. Samuel Dalembert contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih both scored 14 points while rookie DeMarcus Cousins ​​had 11 points and 16 rebounds.

JJ Hickson scored 17 points for Cleveland, Luke Harangody had 15 and Samuels added 13 Samard

The game was a clash between teams with little to look forward until the NBA draft in June. Cavaliers have the worst record (13-53) in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings (16-50) has the worst record in the West.

Thornton has hit a 3 three-pointers and scored nine points in the third quarter for the Kings, who trailed by eight at one point but recovered in the last five minutes or more to take the lead 74-73 in fourth position.

When Samuels made two free throws to tie the game Udrih made a deal to turn the two cousins ​​is moving at 01:21 mark to put the Kings up 93-91. But two free throws that tied the game again Harangody 93

After an attack error against Cousins, Sessions passed three defenders and made a reverse layup for the Cavaliers ahead 95-93 with 16 seconds left.

Looking to tie the game, missed a driving layup Cousins ​​and Alonzo Gee got the rebound and was fouled quickly. Gee made two free throws with 3.3 seconds left to seal the victory.

Town six points at half, the Cavaliers used 13-3 run to take a 65-58 lead mid-third quarter. But the 3-pointer and two other Garcia, Thornton helped the Kings take 67-65 lead 4:41 left in the third.

Cousins ​​had 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half of the Kings, who led 51-45. Harangody scored 11 points for the Cavaliers rushed, who committed 12 turnovers.

Cav’s Take Vengeance 55-point Defeat Against Lakers

Cleveland - The Lakers hit the All-Star break broken.

Looking nothing like the NBA champions on two occasions, which have dropped their third straight game, the loss of a magnificent 104-99 Wednesday night to the Cleveland Cavaliers - the worst team in the league, who avenged an embarrassing 55 points against Los Angeles last month.

Ramon Sessions came off the bench and scored 32 points for the Cavaliers, who were beaten by the Lakers 112-57 on Jan. 11. This loss was No. 11 in a series record in the league that eventually reached 26 before Cleveland ended last week with an overtime win against the package unless announced in Los Angeles, the Clippers.

Pau Gasol had 30 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers.

Play the end of a tour of seven games, the Lakers spent much of the night seemed as if they were on vacation. Launched errant passes, forced shots and were unable to reach the Cavs down the stretch, despite a frantic return.

"It's back to the drawing board," said Lamar Odom, who asked what is the best team to do list. "Defense. Cohesion. Our chemistry on offense. I'm not worried. I think that's what we can fix it."
Kobe Bryant finished with 17 points on 8 of 25 shooting. Derek Fisher scored 19 for the Lakers, who committed 19 turnovers and furious Phil Jackson, coach of the normally quiet, he shouted at them during the idle time after inexcusable defensive deficiencies.

Eliminated in Orlando on Sunday is hardly cause for great concern. But a decline of 20 points at Charlotte on Monday, left both Jackson and Bryant silent. They expect more from the Lakers, and they do not see it.

But too bad they played, the Lakers had cut a 10-point lead to two in the last minute. But Anthony Parker and sessions in two free throws each in the last 17.9 seconds.

After the final horn Lakers slowly toward their locker room and returned home not knowing what might happen. With the trade deadline just a week, rumors involving Denver star Carmelo Anthony might heat up.

One thing is clear: Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has to do something to wake your computer.

The Cavs, however, less than half of the official season on a high note.

This was their best season. They played with energy coach Byron Scott wants every night, and have given fans a taste of what might be ahead.

Bryant 3-pointer helped the Lakers cut a 12-point deficit late in the third three, but the Cavs rookie forward Christian Eyenga followed embed Cleveland fans who had just texting "OMG" to friends and one of the best in the league this season.

Eyenga Bryant blew past the basics, reared back his right hand and smashed the ball through the block Gasol made a lazy society. Cleveland's bench erupted scene not to be included here because LeBron James has given them an almost every night.

Jackson seems to have lost patience with his team full of stars, which seemed tired of the way to win.

In the second half, called the Zen Master on Gasol in two separate dead and the coach's 11-time champion has been busy and also show the Lakers what they have erred on its erasable notepad.
Parker's jumper to end the first half capped by the jet 8-0 Cavs.

As his players back on the floor, Jackson sat in his high chair, orthopedic stunned by the shocking ineptitude of his team.

Bryant did not take a loss to Charlotte well, and he was still in a sour mood after the morning shootaround Lakers'. Perhaps it helps that he had to spend two days in the cold in Cleveland, but Bryant was not clearly beyond the performance of Los Angeles on Wednesday.

"Next game," he said dryly.

Bryant, who has been bothered by flu-like symptoms earlier this week refused to discuss what happened against the Bobcats, or if he and his teammates have worked on something in particular.

Things did not start well for the champions. Bryant made his second mistake with 5:37 left in the first quarter en route to the bank, he said something to the referee Kane Fitzgerald and was beaten by a technique. With Bryant, the Cavs have participated in the filming 11-2 and opened a lead of 10 points.

The Lakers were out of sync, and bungled their game was perhaps better in a possession of the second quarter when Gasol has turned and fired a passage where he waited for a teammate to be. There was nobody and the ball jumped into the feet of the coaches in Los Angeles.

The Return of the KING

CLEVELAND – He tuned out the boos. He smiled at the derisive chants. He embraced all the negativity Cleveland could muster.

LeBron James wasn't fazed by anything.

He brought his talents back home and reminded everyone — even the haters — why he's missed.

Returning as a villain to his native state and the city he scorned this summer, James scored 38 points — 24 in a virtuoso third-quarter performance — to lead the Miami Heat to a 118-90 win on Thursday night, turning his hostile homecoming into another embarrassing moment for the Cavaliers.

By halftime, James was the one having fun. By the fourth quarter, he was watching from the bench as Cavs fans headed into the cold for a disappointing drive home.

This wasn't the payback they waited five months to inflict.

James simply wouldn't allow it.

As he did so many times during seven seasons for the Cavs, the two-time league MVP did anything he wanted on the floor. In the third quarter, he made 10-of-12 shots, jumpers from every angle and taunted Cleveland's bench after draining a seemingly impossible baseline jumper.

"I know this court. I've made a lot of shots on this court," he said. "Just wanted to be aggressive, just try to keep them out of the game. I knew they were going to try to make a run in the third quarter, but we were able to get stops and we were able to get some shots."

With security guards forming a human barricade to line his entrance, James came hopping out of the tunnel and into the electrically charged atmosphere inside Quicken Loans Arena, as more than 20,000 fans, the same ones who once adored him, turned their fury on James.

It was rowdy, but thankfully, not violent. There were a few minor incidents in the stands.

Just in case, Moondog, the Cavs' fuzzy mascot, wore a bulletproof vest.

Booed every time he touched the ball, James scored 14 points in the first half as the Heat opened a 59-40 lead, and threatened to turn the highly anticipated game into a blowout.
James quickly made certain of one.

Miami outscored Cleveland 36-25 in the third to open a 95-65 lead, prompting Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to pull his superstar. James spent the final 12 minutes as a spectator, glancing at the scoreboard and into the stands at so many familiar faces.

James remained defiant afterward, saying he didn't regret his decision to leave Cleveland.

Cavs upset Celtics in Curtain-Raiser without LeBron

CLEVELAND (Reuters) – The Cleveland Cavaliers began the post-LeBron James era with a stunning 95-87 victory over the heavily favored Boston Celtics Wednesday.

Making the victory all the sweeter for jilted Cavaliers fans was the fact that their season-opening win came over the Celtics, something James and his new team the Miami Heat were unable to do in the NBA curtain-raiser Tuesday.

When James announced in July that he was "taking his talents to South Beach" to form a super team in Miami with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, it left Cavaliers fans crushed fearing a return to the bottom of the standings without the twice league MVP.

But for one night at least, the Cavaliers looked every bit a championship contender and the sellout crowd agreed erupting in wild celebration as the final buzzer sounded and confetti rained down from the rafters.

"I'm very proud of my guys tonight, there were times in this game when we got down double-digits and they could have just mailed it in but they didn't," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott told reporters.

"This is how we've got to play basketball. We played really hard all night long.

"We're going to enjoy this victory because it was big time for us, for us to win this game at home, to start the season off this way."

The Cavaliers had trailed by as much as 11 points but showed their mettle in the final minutes, taking an 86-84 lead on a J.J. Hickson layup.

Hickson led the Cavaliers with a game high 21 points while Daniel Gibson provided 16 points and eight assists coming off the bench.

Ramon Sessions chipped in with 14 points while Jamario Moon, who took over James locker and his starting place in the lineup added 10.

The Celtics, arriving in Cleveland off an emotional win 24 hours earlier, appeared to run out of steam down the stretch.

"I think their true strength is playing together," said Celtics Kevin Garnett. "They don't have the one go to guy but they do play well together.

"They play hard and when you don't match that you find yourself in trouble."

Rajon Rondo had 18 points and nine assists to pace the Celtics while Paul Pierce added 13 and Garnett contributed nine points and 15 rebounds.

Moving On Without LeBron

Mo Williams, 27, healthy, and has three years and $26 million remaining on his contract with Cleveland Cavaliers . But none of that mattered much to him this summer after he watched LeBron James(notes) leave the Cavs to join the Miami Heat. Williams said he was so disheartened by James’ exit that he considered walking away from the NBA.

“That’s how bad it got,” He said. “I contemplated it. I really sat down and envisioned life after basketball. …I really saw myself not playing at all.

“It just didn’t make sense to me. It doesn’t make sense to me.” He continued.

Williams played alongside James the past two seasons, serving as the Cavs’ starting point guard and second-leading scorer as they finished with the NBA’s best record two years in a row. Cleveland’s regular-season success, however, didn’t translate to the playoffs, where the Cavs fell short of reaching the NBA Finals both times. Still, Williams felt comfortable in his role next to James. He was named to the All-Star team in 2009 and remained hopeful that, together, they could deliver a championship to Cleveland in the 2010-11 season.

Those hopes all but disappeared on July 8 when James announced he was leaving. By the time of James’ televised special, Williams had heard from enough people around James to know his days of playing next to the two-time reigning MVP were over – even if Williams didn’t want to admit it.

“As anyone tied to the Cavs, you want to be in denial,” Mo said. “ You never want to say, ‘Yeah, OK, LBJ is gone.’ ”

Williams didn’t hide his disappointment; even tweeting in the hours after the announcement that he hoped James would change his mind. Williams also publicly expressed his regret for how James broke the hearts of Clevelanders and for the earlier firing of Coach Mike Brown, who had lost James’ support.

“I had to get it off my chest,” William said.

Williams said he and James remain friends, but he’s also tried to use the past two months to move on.

“You get back here to Cleveland, get around the new coaching staff, start a few workouts, get around the young guys and basically accept the fact that we are not what we once were,” he said. “We don’t have the No. 23 jersey hanging in the locker before every game now.”

James wasn’t the only key figure in the organization to leave in the off-season. Brown was fired and eventually replaced by Byron Scott. Former general manager Danny Ferry parted ways with the franchise, and his assistant, Chris Grant, was named the new GM. Assistant GM Lance Blanks left to help run the Phoenix Suns. The Cavs didn’t make any headline moves, acquiring role players in guard Ramon Sessions(notes) and center Ryan Hollins(notes), while trying to preserve future roster flexibility. Veteran forward Antawn Jamison(notes) is still on the roster, but both he and Williams could eventually find themselves on the trade block as the Cavs continue to rebuild.

“This summer was very, very stressful for me,” Mo said. “I really lost a lot of love for the game this summer.

“You play this game for one reason. You play to win games and win championships. I couldn’t understand why a lot of things were happening to our organization, to a really good basketball team. I couldn’t really understand it. And when you don’t understand things, it can really stress you out.”

Williams is slowly adapting to the new Cavaliers, who, along with their new coaching staff, will have a new offense that will be heavy on pick-and-rolls. Scott might play Williams at shooting guard with Sessions or Daniel Gibson(notes) running the point. In addition to being relied upon to score more, Williams inherits additional leadership responsibility with James and veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) gone.

“It’s crazy because ever since [James left], everybody I see, they approach me and say, ‘Hey, you’re going to be able to play your game now,’ ” Williams said. “ ‘You are going to be able to show everybody what you got,’ or ‘you’re going to be able to do this.’ I was happy with my role. We were winning basketball games. I was coming home every night a winner.

“Who can’t love that? That is what playing a role on a team is all about. Everybody can’t be the star. I was perfectly comfortable being that piece.”

How long will it take for Williams to grow comfortable with his new role? Not even he knows. But after two months, he also understands it doesn’t make much sense to sit around pining for his departed teammate.

“We just got to go to work, man,” He said. “At the end of the day we still have to move forward because the only people who feel sorry for us are the ones who have the Cavs uniform on and whoever is in the stands rooting for the Cavs. That’s it. Everybody else could care less.”

Please, Please, Please Don’t Go!

The Clevelanders crying it on billboards, in song, in letters, in petitions and more, whatever the format, the message from Cleveland fans is just the same: Dear LeBron James, please don't go. Please, please, please don't go.

From the hard-luck city on the shores of Lake Erie is very much trying to show its NBA superstar (LeBron James) that, with free agency threatening July 1, the best mark for him is right up the road from his hometown of Akron, Ohio, the town where he's played for seven seasons as a Cleveland Cavalier and gain two MVP awards.

And in the wake up of an inexplicable early departure from the playoffs a six-game series failure to the Boston Celtics the grass roots crusade has taken on not just a new pressure but the sense of a last chance. Without LeBron James, after all, the chances of Cleveland breaking its 46-year title less streak in major pro sports don't seem too good.

Austin Briggs of Cleveland Heights, 23-year-old and co-founder of the Web site pleasedontleave23.com said "He's a hometown guy. We definitely want to put that on his conscience.”

Yet before the playoffs, fans had assisted fund a banner near the home of the Cavs, showing James through his life with the words "Born Here. Raised Here. Plays Here. Stays Here."
However if Clevelanders think showing a little public pride will be enough to romance LeBron, they better think again.

Playoff Preview: First Round Match Up - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls

This is one series I feel in no doubt speculating about: The Cleveland Cavaliers is obviously the better team and will undoubtedly best the Bulls in this best of seven series in the first round of the play off. On the other Chicago has had a great run to make it into the playoffs; unfortunately they don’t have enough strength and size to take on the Cavaliers.

With the guidance of the KING, the league MVP LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers are just too deep and too experienced. Equipped with high caliber weapons like Shaq, Z, Williams and Jamison there is nothing that this team doesn’t have – they have size, scoring, defense, rebounding. And they are on a mission to get in to the Finals.

In Cavaliers mind, they want to take Bulls out right away. Fortunately, LeBron get right back into his rhythm as he returns to the court after taking some time off and give Cavaliers a two nothing game advantage over Bulls.

Chicago is competing two things have to happen for as the play offs goes on: Noah has to play off the charts like he did during the past games and guards Rose and Hinrich have to make shots. Deng also has to play big because he’s probably going to be guarding LeBron, in order to retain their moral after losing two times in a row at the Quicken Loans Arena.