For the ages
Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?
How old is LeBron James anyway?
He can't be only 21 years old, not after scoring 45 points, making 17 of 18 pressure-packed free throws and driving for the game-winning bucket in the final second of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 121-120 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards.
James is certainly a different man than he was two months ago when he looked nervous in late-game situations. In Game 6 on Wednesday, he looked confident and relaxed the entire night. He flashed his improved jump shot, hitting several ridiculous M.J.-like fadeaways and he attacked the rim when needed. He also got his teammates involved at every opportunity.
This was probably the best game LeBron has ever played, and he did it with enormous pressure on his shoulders. The Cavaliers almost suffered a monumental collapse after giving up a seven-point lead with 1:18 left, and a loss would have been devastating. But James lifted them to the win and a 3-2 series lead. Cleveland is now just one game from advancing to the second round.
BONEHEAD MOVE OF THE NIGHT
Washington Wizards – Even after the Wizards made a terrible defensive play by allowing LeBron to drive baseline and get to the rim for the eventual winning layin, there was still 0.9 seconds on the clock. Rather than use one of two timeouts they had left, the Wizards inbounded the ball to Arenas, who threw a 60-foot heave as time expired. Had they called timeout they could have advanced the ball to half court and had enough time for a reasonably good shot. The error was especially bad since the Cavaliers had just called a timeout to set up their play for LeBron, meaning the Washington players must have known the timeout situation. This series has featured numerous mental mistakes by both clubs – probably due to inexperience – but this one was the worst.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LOSING CAUSE
Gilbert Arenas – Lost in the shuffle of the LeBron Show was the brilliant play of Arenas. The Wizards guard put on a phenomenal display, scoring 44 points, making 14 of 24 shots and all 10 free throws, including two with 3.6 seconds left that gave the Wizards a one-point lead. If not for the heroics of LeBron, Arenas' performance would have gone down in playoff lore. Instead, it will be mentioned as a footnote to "The LeBron Game." The fact is, though, Arenas was amazing and nobody on Cleveland can guard him. In fact, no one in the NBA can guard him.
TEAM OF THE NIGHT
Detroit Pistons – The Pistons did what they had to do, taking care of business on their home floor and eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks with a dominating performance. Detroit's balance was evident all game – they shot 54 percent, made 10 of 17 threes, held the Bucks to 93 points on 44-percent shooting and won the rebounding battle. Milwaukee had no answer for the combination of Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace. Hamilton scored 40 points, and when Milwaukee tried to help on him as he ran off screens, Wallace stepped outside and made four of five three-pointers. The Pistons now move on and await the winner of the Cleveland-Washington series.
VIEWERS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY
Game 6: New Jersey Nets at Indiana Pacers – The Nets don't want to mess around and lose this game and face the Pacers in a Game 7 on Saturday. But Indiana is tough and resilient, especially at home. The Pacers will try to establish Jermaine O'Neal early, but with Peja Stojakovic injured for most of this series, it's been tough for Rick Carlisle to find enough scoring. If Indiana is going to force a deciding game, O'Neal has to be huge and Stephen Jackson has to play well at both ends like he did in Game 1. His scoring is critical, but his defense on Vince Carter is even more important. Carter has gotten better and better with every game, and he's getting plenty of help from Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic. And with Jason Kidd coming off his best game of the series, the Nets look primed to close this thing out.
Game 6: Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls – The big question for the Heat is how Dwyane Wade will respond after his Game 5 hip pointer. After being injected with a pain killer in order to return to the floor Tuesday night, how will Wade feel on Thursday after the injury tightens up? A three-hour flight to Chicago won't help matters much. If he's healthy, the Heat can close out the Bulls provided Miami plays defense like it did in Game 5. For the first time in the series, the Heat were aggressive, jumped out on screens, rotated well and closed out on shooters. Chicago has to free up Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, who were terrific the first four games but shot a combined 6-of-29 in Game 5.
Game 6: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers – Phoenix seized the momentum with its Game 5 blowout of L.A., but with Raja Bell's suspension, it will be at a major disadvantage. Without their best defender on Kobe Bryant, the Suns will most likely start Leandro Barbosa on No. 8. They could also play more of their big lineup, with Tim Thomas joining Boris Diaw and Shawn Marion on the front line to allow Marion to cover Kobe. Either way, the Suns will have to play well in front of a raucous Staples Center crowd that is expecting a Lakers win. They controlled the last two games and have to feel pretty good about themselves. Is this the game that Kobe decides to take over and win on his own?
