James’ third straight triple-double gives Cavs win

By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer Mar 13, 3:11 am EDT

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PHOENIX (AP)—LeBron James finally won in Phoenix, with the latest in a string of fabulous performances for the East’s front-running Cleveland Cavaliers.

James had his third straight triple-double—34 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds—and the Cavaliers pulled away over the final seven minutes to beat the sinking Suns 119-111 on Thursday night.

“For 82 games in today’s NBA, it’s probably impossible to average a triple double,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. “But if I’m going to say there is one guy who can do it, it’s our guy.”

James said he just does what is necessary.

“Three straight wins, that’s what it’s about,” he said. “I try to do any and every thing for our team to win basketball games. If I’ve got to go out and do that, then I’m all for it.”

The game turned on one remarkable play.

Phoenix was down 97-95 and had the ball for what looked to be a breakaway layup, but Jason Richardson decided to go for a 360-degree spin dunk. James raced from far behind and soared to block the attempt.

Sasha Pavlovic’s third 3-pointer of the quarter made it 100-95 with 8:33 left.

Richardson complained vehemently he was fouled on the play and drew a technical. Williams’ subsequent free throw made it 101-95 with 8:32 to go. Television replays clearly showed James hit Richardson’s wrist on the play.

“Clearly a foul, I don’t care how you look at it,” Richardson said. “It’s still a foul and that’s bad and that a guys going up like that, especially trying to do something to get the fans going, to get hammered like that and there’s no call at all, that’s terrible.”

Foul or not, it was a remarkable athletic play.

“I just didn’t give up on the play, man,” James said. “That’s just the identity of our team and who I am. I never believe a play is over and done with. A lot of people would give up on that play, but not me.”

Brown said the play “ignited our bench, it ignited our guys on the floor.”

Suns coach Alvin Gentry indicated that trying a 360-degree dunk in that situation was a mistake.

“Against a quality team like that, 51 wins they have, you can’t afford to make mistakes like that,” Gentry said.

US Airways Center was the only building in the NBA where James hadn’t won. He was 0-5 here, not counting this year’s All-Star game loss, coming into Thursday night’s contest. The Cavaliers had lost nine in a row in Phoenix.

Mo Williams, who scored a career-high 44 the first time the teams met this season, added 30 for Cleveland, including 6-of-10 3s. Matt Barnes scored 21 and Steve Nash 20 as the Suns extended their losing streak to six games, their longest in six seasons.

“I really don’t have any answers,” Gentry said. “I think we try hard and we play hard. We just can’t seem to close out games.”

James grabbed a rebound with 2.8 seconds to play for his sixth triple-double of the season and 23rd of his career.

“To get three (triple-doubles) in a row, I hope everybody and anybody out there is talking about him,” Brown said, and talking about him for MVP because he deserves it.”

Sasha Pavlovic scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including three 3-pointers. Cleveland tied a franchise record with 17 3s in 33 attempts to win for the seventh time in eight games and improve to 12-2 since Jan. 30. The performance came two nights after Cleveland went 3-for-20 on 3s against the Clippers in Los Angeles.

The Cavaliers, 2-0 on a three-game western swing, won their franchise-record 23rd road game, surpassing the 22 they had in 1991-92. Phoenix fell six games behind Dallas for the final playoff berth in the West.

Cleveland took control of the intense contest with a late 10-2 run after Grant Hill’s three-point play cut the Cavs’ lead to 101-100 with 7:04 remaining.

Williams hit a running 7-footer and a 3-pointer and James sank a 20-footer in the surge. James capped it with two free throws that made it 111-102 with 3:45 left. Nash’s 3-pointer cut it to 113-109 with 2:11 remaining, but Williams sank another 3, James added two free throws, and the Suns were finished.

The Cavs’ Delonte West left with a sore lower back halfway through the third quarter after crashing in to Nash for an offensive foul. X-rays were negative.

Notes

O’Neal fouled out. … Cleveland improved to 21-4 against the West. … One more Cleveland victory or Detroit loss clinches the Central Division title for the Cavs. … The Suns shot 55 percent against a Cleveland team that leads the NBA in defensive field goal percentage (.429).

Updated Mar 13, 3:11 am EDT
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Phoenix at Minnesota

Fri Nov 27, 2009, 9:30 pm EST

Cleveland at Charlotte

Fri Nov 27, 2009, 7:00 pm EST

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66 Comments

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  1. Eric
    66. Posted by Eric Sat Mar 14 11:40am EDT

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    Debra I have never read a comment more wrong. LeBron in NO WAY is overrated. If he had won 5 MVPs already and every award possible then sure. He hasn't won an MVP and all he does is make the guys around him better. There is not one player in the world that could just step in and win championships. It takes time to get a team together and thats what the Cavs have finally done this year. LeBron is clearly the leader and makes the team play well together. With your logic every player who hasnt won a championship is overrated. So Dwight Howard is overrated, and honestly Kobe and Wade can only win with shaq so they are overrated. Shaq is the only player that shouldnt be classified as overrated to you. Boston can only win because they have created an all-star team with the guys they signed. The Cavs have LeBron and a bunch of average players and they are winning out. No other player could do what hes doing. He stuffs the stat sheet when its needed to win a game. He steps up and scores if he needs to. A small forward getting 7+ assists per game is amazing. Its not like he goes out and just stuffs the stat sheet for no reason but to have the stats. Thats what Iverson, and Vince Carter are for.
  2. <i>debra5466</i>
    65. Posted by debra5466 Sat Mar 14 10:50am EDT

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    This is the truth and it has nothing to do with Paul Peice or Boston.The truth of the matter is,who is the MVP.Kobe,D-Wade,or LeBron.All of these guys are having great seasons.But what i want to know is what has change since last year,besides all the above teams has a better record and D-Wade is healthy.Comparing the stat line from last year to now,playoffs included with the exception of D-Wade due to injury,Kobe and LeBron are relative the same.So what happen,what happen is LeBron is over rated.From day one LeBron has been projected to be the king of the NBA and right now he's not,to me the king means TITLES NOT STATS And LeBron is all about STATS.Even myself if i to were a NBA player with those type of skills would be an MVP canidate too if played every position like LeBron does.A true MVP makes players around him better and is a proven leader on and off the court.Not walking off the court before the game is over,because he did'nt get a call.Kobe has payed his dues for all those yrs after Shaq left,to all of the haters who said it will never happen stay tune.Kobe has a real ptg Fish,a real C,Bydum a pair of real frds Gasol,Odom and a real bench and it's because of him,Kobe Bryant.And for all of you LBJ fans,and i'm not hatin'on your boy let me know when he can hit a turnaround jumper consistantly a pull-up jumper in the lane a tear-drop shot,and a last second shot consistantly.And please stop all that crying on the court,because if you don't the babies wont have nothing to do.No disrespect D-Wade but it's Kobe's year.
  3. kl
    64. Posted by kl Fri Mar 13 11:55pm EDT

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    go thunder
  4. Purple Yam and Magolover
    63. Posted by Purple Yam and Magolover Fri Mar 13 10:07pm EDT

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    Just because he posted his 3rd Triple Double...Lebron thinks he's the second coming of Magic Johnson!!!
  5. Arian C
    62. Posted by Arian C Fri Mar 13 7:51pm EDT

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    kobe's got his...king monster bron is the man and mvp deserving...but d wade...this guy is unreal, and ya'll know the heat would'nt even have fifteen wins without him...his team sucks...brony is defensive player of the year, granger most improved, nate rob biggest G, kobe biggest @^%$eeeeer, gasol is biggest euaropean (or is it vladamir radmanavish?) the spurs are the most boring team, the wizards suck, golden state has the worst game plan ever devised and d mother flipping wiznade is your mvp...nuff said
  6. LamontS
    61. Posted by LamontS Fri Mar 13 6:19pm EDT

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    Really lakers fans...most of the Lakers fan have never even been to cleveland.....you cant be a fan after they already got the rings...the reason they win championships is because players go there its hollywood and they get all the perks....please...be real if u aren't from LA ur not a fan ur just on the Band wagon...I've been a cleveland since the 70's and they pretty much always sucked they had a few good years but for the most part we never really had a superstar on this team Lebron has given that and he is really from Cleveland so....Kobe is a great player but if you take away all the players who went for the gleem and glitz...Kobe would be just as hungry as Lebron......He was from philly and did not want to play ther and probably would have sat out if he had to play for the original charlotte Hornets........so GO CAVS !!!!!
    C-Land O H Ten........
  7. V'latsangiloy
    60. Posted by V'latsangiloy Fri Mar 13 4:56pm EDT

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    Cavs will crush the Celt's in the ECF first & Trash the LA Lakers in the NBA Finals!...
  8. Caleb H
    59. Posted by Caleb H Fri Mar 13 4:10pm EDT

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    lebron has to be the best player in the nba. kobe is good but lebron is averaging more assist rebounds and is way better than kobe on defense. dwayne wade is only person i think that could challenge lebron for the mvp
  9. howard
    58. Posted by howard Fri Mar 13 4:04pm EDT

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    OK a bunch of d!@& riders lets talk basketball. Kobe Years of experience and the only one on his team to get more than 20 per game. Lebron new to the game and helps team mates get over 20 with him. Kobe fg % sinking Lebron fg % increasing. Kobe three years left maybe cut short after making the dumbest shoes in profesional basketball low tops come on what are you thinking ending your career. Kobe having many records Lebron taking every record away from kobe except 82 for the simple fact he is not a ball hog. for all you kobe lovers hope you watch every game he is the reason they win not anybody else stats don't lie he get worked like a horse at the races sooner or later actually it already later it will break down. Kobe and lebron have the same record with there teams but somehow i guess the lakers are better or kobe is better than lebron both teams have the same record and the laker have the easiest conference who is there spurs come on. Now mvp its a race between d wade and lebron thats it kobe got his last year on a fluke he didn't make his team better gasol did so now they will fix it this year we all no if there was no gasol last year no lakers anywhere in the playoffs. Cont get me wrong kobe is a great shooter and ball player but who really plays defense on this guy nobody and refs give him a lot of boo boo calls so lets be real the nba looks more and more rigged every year lakers celtics finals so they get more viewers duh more money.
  10. lifeguard2
    57. Posted by lifeguard2 Fri Mar 13 3:56pm EDT

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    Go Cleveland, no city deserves a nba title more than that area does, its been soooooo long.
  11. Karen
    56. Posted by Karen Fri Mar 13 3:19pm EDT

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    I think Kobe is great but I think LeBron is MVP. The last 3 games LeBron has been Great. I have seen everyone one of the games and he has put on a MVP like performance. This shows that he can do more then just score. He had 13 assist and trust me I live in Cleveland and watch every game we really only have Mo and Z besides LeBron that can score. To get 13 assist for him that is great.
  12. O W
    55. Posted by O W Fri Mar 13 3:17pm EDT

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    The stache posted on fri mar 13 1:11pm edt report abuse
    mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp,
  13. <i>gelcanaria</i>
    54. Posted by gelcanaria Fri Mar 13 3:17pm EDT

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    Lebron James should be the MVP...he deserves it...3-straight triple-doubles is not an easy task people...most of the players in nba cannot even get a double-double or a triple-double...Lebron is and should be the MVP.
  14. sam
    53. Posted by sam Fri Mar 13 3:16pm EDT

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    if u watch that richardson 360 dunk attempt, you can clearly see in slow motion lebron got all wrist and forearm, why else would richardsons arms move over so hard.. was an obvious blown call by the refs...
  15. brianb
    52. Posted by brianb Fri Mar 13 3:16pm EDT

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    mvp mvp mvp lebron all da way
  16. reuben
    51. Posted by reuben Fri Mar 13 3:06pm EDT

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    The king is on a mission this season no doubt . But the lakers are winning this year's championship wheather you like it or not.
  17. <i>tomzap00</i>
    50. Posted by tomzap00 Fri Mar 13 2:12pm EDT

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    I love all you morons that don't know #$&^ about basketball. Kobe this and Kobe that. The guy is an individual player that does not make the players around him better. The team has more talent than the Cavs but LeBron raises the level of everybody around him. Also, this myth that Kobe is the supreme shooter on the planet. Get a clue. Kobe 47.4% FG and 34% 3-pt. LeBron48.6% FG and 33.3% 3-pt. Kobe is not that much better behind the arc. And guess what - LeBron averages more steals/gm also while guarding the opponents best offensive player many nights.

    Kobeand Wade do have rings but they haven't won anything without Shaq who was in his prime while playing with them. LeBron would have won championships with Shaq also.

    IT IS TIME TO REALIZE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE IS KING JAMES.
  18. <i>mcpioneer17</i>
    49. Posted by mcpioneer17 Fri Mar 13 2:03pm EDT

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    anyone who thinks that David Stern pays the refs off to let Lebron get away with fouls is a complete moron. If anything I think the refs let Lebron get hacked by other players to often without a foul being called. As far as the Kobe knob-gobblers out there, like Shaq said "Kobe can't do it without me!". Nobody on the Lakers even likes Kobe haha. If Lebron were a ball hog like Kobe he could have numbers just like him, but Lebron is better than that so I guess that makes him better than Kobe.
  19. <i>mcpioneer17</i>
    48. Posted by mcpioneer17 Fri Mar 13 2:02pm EDT

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    anyone who thinks that David Stern pays the refs off to let Lebron get away with fouls is a complete moron. If anything I think the refs let Lebron get hacked by other players to often without a foul being called. As far as the Kobe knob-gobblers out there, like Shaq said "Kobe can't do it without me!". Nobody on the Lakers even likes Kobe haha. If Lebron were a ball hog like Kobe he could have numbers just like him, but Lebron is better than that so I guess that makes him better than Kobe.
  20. the stache
    47. Posted by the stache Fri Mar 13 1:11pm EDT

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    Mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp, mvp,
  21. <i>stefanstanojevic49</i>
    46. Posted by stefanstanojevic49 Fri Mar 13 1:08pm EDT

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    Great game
  22. Brent
    45. Posted by Brent Fri Mar 13 12:57pm EDT

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    Nothing against Wade ....He is playing out of his mind. Maybe better than Lebron Right now and for sure better than kobe. However, he will not win the MVP. Two years ago Lebron single handley took the Cavs to the finals with half the talent Cavs have now and had a better year than Kobe but his team was not winning 55 to 60 games. I know it is lame but the NBA always gives it to the player on a team with the highest record not how much they mean to their team.

    SECOND: Lebron 3 straight triple doubles at 24? Kobe could never dream of that cause he never passes like Lebron and Wade. They make their teams so much better. LA SUX
  23. Lamar
    44. Posted by Lamar Fri Mar 13 12:39pm EDT

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    what the @#$% is you talking about lebron is the biggest flopper if you watch basketball and know basketball you should choose your words wisely and i am talking to beaver.
  24. David
    43. Posted by David Fri Mar 13 12:38pm EDT

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    I wonder if, when Richardson was 180 degrees through his 360, he caught a glimpse of James (maybe just a blurry yellow jersey) about to contest his shot. I can guess what might have gone through his mind, but it's not printable. A few seconds earlier no Cav was in the same half of the court. Richardson had to slow up to perform the 360. A standard dunk and James couldn't have caught him. It looked to me like James fouled him also, but Richardson has himself to blame - not the refs.
  25. Beaver
    42. Posted by Beaver Fri Mar 13 12:19pm EDT

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    I believe I'm in the majority of fans who truly believes David Stern has the refs do his bidding. He wants to control the outcome of the NBA season year after year to Spread the titles around the league. The only consistancy to the refereeing this season is that it disgustingly biased toward the Cleveland Caviliers. I have watched quite a few games on TBS where LeBron should have fouled out, but since Stern must be convinced that the league needs LeBron to suceed more than it needs integrity he generally gets about 2 token fouls a game. LeBron is the equivilant of a flopper... he is the biggest defensive hacker in the league. The fact that he'll probably be on the First team all defense will be a sham and a shame if D-Wade or Kobe aren't on the team. I would never call LeBron overrated, he is an incredible talent buts the refs lack of integrity in Cleveland games overrides his play for at least half of the Cavs games I've watched!!!
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Top Performers

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 Cleveland
L. James LeBron James
10-24,  34 Pts
10 Rebs, 13 Assists
 Phoenix
M. Barnes Matt Barnes
9-14,  21 Pts
4 Rebs, 5 Assists

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