Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Soldier on leave dies after shooting near UA
Man breaks into house, flees when owner wakes up
Theft, fraud allegations leave family in turmoil
Cavs to negotiate for Ilgauskas' return
Teen accused of drinking, dancing topless in club
Intoxicated, suicidal educator apprehended after chilling drive in park
Irish eyes smiling on Falls newlyweds
Barberton man hit by vehicle after fight dies
Blogs:
Akron Docs in Haiti:
Almost home
First Bell - On Education:
Strange, sad story from Canton
Pets:
Found: White Eskimo male dog near Bath and State Rd.
The Heldenfiles:
Fess Parker, R.I.P.
Akron Zips:
Looking back on the season
Tribe Matters:
Cabrera says it’s time to play
Cleveland Browns:
Yates latest to re-sign
Balanced Ledger:
How times have changed?
Kent State Sports:
Kent State beats Tulsa in NIT; Will face Illinois on ESPNU
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Highlights from Wednesday’s Cavs-Pacers Game
Buckeye Blogging:
Bucks High Seed – Turner High Praise
Varsity Letters:
DII state semifinal: Walsh Jesuit loses to Hathaway Brown 53-48
All Da King's Men:
ObamaCare To Reduce Premiums By 3000% ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Why Republicans Are Acting So Crazy
Akron Law Café:
Does Capitalism Inspire "Moral Flexibility"?
Car Chase:
2010 CONCOURS SEASON IS UPON US
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Deals in Miami?!.
Sound Check:
Willie Nelson & Family coming to the Akron Civic Theatre May 11
See Jane Style:
Who Wore What – The Oscars
HRLite House:
Horses of Courses
Akron Gamer:
PlayStation's Move ups the interaction, fidelity
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 12:00 a.m. EST, Feb 05, 2010
CLEVELAND: Down three point guards, the Cavaliers still beat the Miami Heat 102-86 Thursday night to sweep the season series and record their 10th consecutive win.
With Daniel Gibson at the hospital with his pregnant fiancee, singer Keyshia Cole who was admitted as a precaution, Cavs coach Mike Brown called on LeBron James to take complete control of the Cavs' offense.
He didn't disappoint.
James led all scorers with 36 points, grabbed seven rebounds and added eight assists. He was the catalyst, but he had plenty of help from his teammates, even Gibson who scored 12 points after arriving at Quicken Loans Arena to play in the second half.
''No one is ever in panic mode and we kind of take on the challenges in front of us,'' Brown said. ''When you have a guy as versatile as LeBron and a guy as versatile as Anthony Parker, you can kind of cover up some holes.''
James acknowledged that being down three point guards wasn't an ideal situation.
''Guys have to step up and everyone's roles have to increase,'' he said.
For much of the game, it looked as if it would be another battle royale between James and the Heat's Dwyane Wade (24 points).
Ultimately, it wasn't what it could have been, because Wade found himself in foul trouble at 7:28 of the third quarter. Although Heat coach Erik Spoelstra left Wade in, he didn't play with quite the same aggressiveness as earlier in the game.
The Cavs took advantage of the situation in the fourth quarter, blowing the game open with a double-digit lead.
They opened up a 16-point lead with 6:07 left behind the work of James and Gibson, who played effectively despite his earlier absence.
When Gibson made it to the arena, it freed James from point-guard duties so he could attack the basket as he normally does.
One such instance came after a turnover by the Heat's Carlos Arroyo. James got the ball and began to race down the court, but Arroyo committed a clear-path foul that gave James two shots and the Cavs the ball. It came at a pivotal moment in the game, helping give the Cavs some breathing room at 83-73.
As for Gibson, he hit seven points in the fourth quarter, including two crucial 3-point shots.
James took most of the burden for running the offense, scoring 19 points in the first half. Down by three guards, the Cavs kept their heads above water.
Brown probably never envisioned a lineup on the floor that included Jamario Moon, Shaquille O'Neal, rookie Danny Green, Anderson Varejao and Parker. Yet when the buzzer for the second quarter sounded, that's who took the floor, giving James some much-needed rest.
But the unusual lineup kept the game close, presenting James with a slim lead once he returned. After the first half, the Cavs led 56-52.
They steadily worked toward taking control of the game, outscoring the Heat 46-34 in the second half before breaking it wide open in the fourth.
The Cavs will face the New York Knicks on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
Buzzer beaters
Gibson hit double figures in his seventh consecutive game despite missing the first half. He said that his fiancee is fine. . . . James had season highs for free throws made and free throws attempted.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj.
CLEVELAND: Down three point guards, the Cavaliers still beat the Miami Heat 102-86 Thursday night to sweep the season series and record their 10th consecutive win.
With Daniel Gibson at the hospital with his pregnant fiancee, singer Keyshia Cole who was admitted as a precaution, Cavs coach Mike Brown called on LeBron James to take complete control of the Cavs' offense.
He didn't disappoint.
James led all scorers with 36 points, grabbed seven rebounds and added eight assists. He was the catalyst, but he had plenty of help from his teammates, even Gibson who scored 12 points after arriving at Quicken Loans Arena to play in the second half.
''No one is ever in panic mode and we kind of take on the challenges in front of us,'' Brown said. ''When you have a guy as versatile as LeBron and a guy as versatile as Anthony Parker, you can kind of cover up some holes.''
James acknowledged that being down three point guards wasn't an ideal situation.
''Guys have to step up and everyone's roles have to increase,'' he said.
For much of the game, it looked as if it would be another battle royale between James and the Heat's Dwyane Wade (24 points).
Ultimately, it wasn't what it could have been, because Wade found himself in foul trouble at 7:28 of the third quarter. Although Heat coach Erik Spoelstra left Wade in, he didn't play with quite the same aggressiveness as earlier in the game.
The Cavs took advantage of the situation in the fourth quarter, blowing the game open with a double-digit lead.
They opened up a 16-point lead with 6:07 left behind the work of James and Gibson, who played effectively despite his earlier absence.
When Gibson made it to the arena, it freed James from point-guard duties so he could attack the basket as he normally does.
One such instance came after a turnover by the Heat's Carlos Arroyo. James got the ball and began to race down the court, but Arroyo committed a clear-path foul that gave James two shots and the Cavs the ball. It came at a pivotal moment in the game, helping give the Cavs some breathing room at 83-73.
As for Gibson, he hit seven points in the fourth quarter, including two crucial 3-point shots.
James took most of the burden for running the offense, scoring 19 points in the first half. Down by three guards, the Cavs kept their heads above water.
Brown probably never envisioned a lineup on the floor that included Jamario Moon, Shaquille O'Neal, rookie Danny Green, Anderson Varejao and Parker. Yet when the buzzer for the second quarter sounded, that's who took the floor, giving James some much-needed rest.
But the unusual lineup kept the game close, presenting James with a slim lead once he returned. After the first half, the Cavs led 56-52.
They steadily worked toward taking control of the game, outscoring the Heat 46-34 in the second half before breaking it wide open in the fourth.
The Cavs will face the New York Knicks on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
Buzzer beaters
Gibson hit double figures in his seventh consecutive game despite missing the first half. He said that his fiancee is fine. . . . James had season highs for free throws made and free throws attempted.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Naples, FL
Posted 08:04 AM, 02/05/2010
Although I love Charles Barkley for being candid I also don't agree with him often. He keeps saying the Cavs need to make a trade to beat the Lakers who they swept with authority. That's enough for me to be convinced, STAND PAT, DO NOT MAKE A TRADE.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:24 AM, 02/05/2010
I love Charles too...but he is a grade-A hater. If he ever compliments the Cavs for anything, it's immediately followed by what they are doing wrong. He's the KING of back-handed compliments.
I love when he makes fun of Reggie Miller's big ears...
akron, OH
Posted 09:01 AM, 02/05/2010
I love me some LeBron. great Game!! last night.
Wade hit a Brick Wall (Shaq!!) (smile)
I hope they go all the way!!!!!
Posted 09:32 AM, 02/05/2010
Right now, there isn't a team in the NBA that can beat the Cavs.
Get Mo and Delonte back and it will be even more fun to watch.
Thank you Cavs for giving it your all !
Norton, Oh
Posted 09:51 AM, 02/05/2010
Ahhh, we know the Cleveland sport history... They will choke in the playoffs... Its destiny. The Curse of Lou 'The Toe' Groza...
stow, Oh
Posted 10:11 AM, 02/05/2010
Zapdog
Norton, Oh
Posted 09:51 AM, 02/05/2010
Ahhh, we know the Cleveland sport history... They will choke in the playoffs... Its destiny. The Curse of Lou 'The Toe' Groza...
I've heard the American Natives placed a curse on all Professional Cleveland teams (i.e. Browns, Indians & Cavs) that they shall never win a championship until they change the name of the Cleveland Indians to something else.
Norton, Oh
Posted 10:13 AM, 02/05/2010
Then why did they not pick on the Wash Redskins? Or Fla Seminoles? (just two examples) Why just Cleve??
stow, Oh
Posted 10:47 AM, 02/05/2010
Zapdog
Norton, Oh
Posted 10:13 AM, 02/05/2010
Then why did they not pick on the Wash Redskins? Or Fla Seminoles? (just two examples) Why just Cleve??
The group was from the Cleveland area and the same question was asked of them by the reporters regarding the Redskins, Braves and others. I don't remember the response as that was 15 to 20 years ago.
However, they were not pleased about the Washington Redskins either.
Now, I will have to google the story to refresh my memory.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:09 AM, 02/05/2010
Go Cavs! We're going all the way!
stow, Oh
Posted 11:22 AM, 02/05/2010
ZapDog here's just a couple of links as there are many out there.
It appears that it stems from some Native American named Sockalexis of something and about him being mistreated.
http://www.clevelandfrowns.com/2008/06/curse-of-chief-wahoo.html
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/133553.html
Norton, Oh
Posted 11:32 AM, 02/05/2010
I was just being facetious in my asking that. lol. I do recall something about that before, but was just remarking.. Since I don't believe in the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, nor ghosts, I fail to fall victim to curses either...lol
Norton, Oh
Posted 11:33 AM, 02/05/2010
I guess I should run a disclaimer when being a wiseacre...
stow, Oh
Posted 11:40 AM, 02/05/2010
ZAPDOG
LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
OK, you got me on that one! Good One on the disclaimer!
Norton, Oh
Posted 11:52 AM, 02/05/2010
Thank you Member.. I will be here all week... Tip your waitresses.. Try the Veal...
