Thu, Jul 24 2008
|
|
Published May 11, 2008 12:59 am - CLEVELAND — Rise up is the postseason motto at Quicken Loans Arena. Finally, during the Eastern Conference semifinals, the guy seated to LeBron James’ left, and the one seated to his right on the Cavaliers bench did so. A Todd Porter column: LeBron's cast shows its support in a big way TODD PORTER Canton Repository CLEVELAND — Rise up is the postseason motto at Quicken Loans Arena. Finally, during the Eastern Conference semifinals, the guy seated to LeBron James’ left, and the one seated to his right on the Cavaliers bench did so.
Then the guys next to those role players did the same. Before long, the Cavaliers understood that one-against-five — even if that one is LeBron — aren’t good odds. Fans were still settling in their seats as Game 3 started when LeBron’s teammates joined him for this best-of-seven series. They rose up and were counted on. More importantly, they delivered. Coach Mike Brown may have to ask law enforcement to put an APB out on LeBron’s jumper, but Cleveland went on a 14-0 run early in the game and never looked back during Game 3. Cleveland’s 108-84 win over Boston kept this series even. A series doesn’t start and begin to end until someone wins on the road. The Celtics had the best road record during the regular season, but Saturday night’s loss extended their post season road skid to four games. But the Cavaliers didn’t win because of LeBron. They almost won in spite of him. James continued to struggle from the field. The King only took half an iron supplement in Game 3. He was 5-of-16, an improvement on his nonexistent 8-of-42 in the first two games. Cleveland, overdosing on rim in Games 1 and 2, set the nets on fire in the first quarter Saturday night. The Cavaliers shot 65 percent (the Celtics hammered in 31 percent) and Cleveland led 32-13 after a quarter. Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace combined for 5-of-5 and 13 points. And that’s why the Cavaliers won. Wallace, Zyrdunas Ilgauskas, Szczerbiak, Anderson Varejao and Joe Smith combined to miss just 15 of their 37 shots (60 percent). Szczerbiak and West, both former Celtics, stuck their old team for a combined 37 points. Yes, for a night at least, LeBron not only had a cast, he had a supporting cast. “The other guys made shots,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “Wally Szczerbiak’s start to the game was huge for them. Delonte West was huge for them. And Joe Smith. You got those three guys going along with Ilgauskas and LeBron, and they’re tough.” 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Sports section
A Bob Ettinger column: How they played the game |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
© 2007, Ashtabula Star Beacon P.O. Box 2100, Ashtabula OH 44005-2100 (440) 998-2323, Send news tips and feedback |
Popular Business directory links - Ashtabula Apartments | Ashtabula Attorneys | Ashtabula Auto Dealers | Ashtabula Auto Parts | Ashtabula Auto Repair | Ashtabula Beauty Salons | Ashtabula Car Rental | Ashtabula Dentists | Ashtabula Doctors | Ashtabula Flowers | Ashtabula Hotels | Ashtabula Insurance | Ashtabula Loans | Ashtabula Mortgages | Ashtabula Movers | Ashtabula Pizza | Ashtabula Realtors | Ashtabula Restaurants | Ashtabula Storage | Ashtabula Tax Preparation | Ashtabula Travel | Ashtabula Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service 
|