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**remy23** · 05-18-2006, 03:27 PM

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James, Cavaliers coming of age

BY TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
May 17, 2006

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- While dissecting Cleveland's latest playoff upset, LeBron James paused in mid-sentence during his postgame news conference to say "Bless You" to a sneezing reporter.

He hasn't shown the Detroit Pistons any such courtesy.

James, controlling the game at the both ends of the floor, scored 32 points and moved the Cavaliers within one win of a trip to the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night with an 86-84 victory over the Pistons.

Playing all but 1:10, James added five rebounds and five assists for the Cavs, who have won three straight over Detroit and can wrap up the series with a win on Friday night in Cleveland.

He's taking the Cavs to places they've rarely seen before.

"LeBron is playing unbelievable," Pistons coach Flip Saunders.

He's making big shots, getting his teammates involved and leading a Cleveland team dealing with the loss of guard Larry Hughes, who has missed three straight games following the death of his younger brother.

That's a lot for a 21-year-old playoff newcomer to handle. This one is different, though.

Even in victory, he refused to gloat.

"It don't mean nothing if we lost the last two games," he said. "It means nothing at all. We don't feel privileged. We don't feel comfortable beating Detroit. That's not what it's about. It's about winning the series. If we go home and lose (on Friday) and lose on Sunday, it means nothing."

After beating Washington in the first round, the Cavaliers were given little chance against the Pistons, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions who were the league's best team all season. Predictions of a Detroit sweep looked accurate after the Pistons roughed up Cleveland in Games 1 and 2.

But a funny thing happened to the Pistons on the way to the NBA Finals.

Since the fourth quarter of the second game, they have been outplayed and outhustled by the Cavaliers, who are threatening to send Detroit on its summer vacation weeks earlier than anyone ever expected.

With James leading the way, the Cavaliers are on a roll. They've won three straight playoff games for the first time in franchise history, and a fourth consecutive win would place them in the conference finals for the first time since 1992, when they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

"After every game, somebody says, 'The Cavs don't have a chance in this game,"' said Donyell Marshall, who had 14 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, including a crucial one on Tayshaun Prince in the final seconds. "They say, 'The Cavs this, the Cavs that.' Well, we're just going to keep playing."

Cleveland's locker room was subdued and businesslike following one of the biggest wins in franchise history. The Cavaliers are relative newcomers to the playoffs, making their first appearance since 1998.

But Marshall, Drew Gooden, Eric Snow and Damon Jones have postseason experience, and they all contributed to another unexpected win.

"Everybody wrote us off," said Jones, who broke a tie in the fourth quarter with a big 3-pointer. "But we've fought our way back since Game 2 and now we're going home with a chance to move on."

James is one victory away from toppling the Pistons, the same team that once stood between Jordan and NBA titles.

Jordan needed four whacks in the postseason to drop the Pistons.

James may only need one.

**remy23** · 05-18-2006, 03:50 PM

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James, Cavaliers Show Heart, Stun Passive Pistons

Meanwhile, the Pistons seemed more concerned with arguing with referees and straying from their style. In the fourth quarter, Rasheed Wallace and coach Flip Saunders were hit with technical fouls and floor leader Chauncey Billups fouled out.

"You saw those calls," Wallace said. "Every time we got close, there seemed to be some (stuff). That leads me to think some other things, but I'm not going to say what those things are."

Right down to the final whistle, Detroit seemed to be looking for a call. Along the baseline, Richard Hamilton drew slight contact, leaning out of bounds and letting go of the ball as time expired.

G-Force · 05-18-2006, 05:29 PM

I am absolutely loving this series. I have been pulling for Cleveland to knock off the Pistons and for Dallas to trounce the Spurs.

One win away from advancing - let's get it done at home and set the NBA on its ear. Go Cavs!

CHKNWANG321 · 05-18-2006, 07:48 PM

tomorrow's game is the biggest game in cavs history

STUCKEY! · 05-18-2006, 07:50 PM

Yep should be fun.

**Pioneer10** · 05-18-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHKNWANG321

tomorrow's game is the biggest game in cavs history

The Cavs reached the ECF in one of the Price/Daugherty years so no this isn't THE biggest game in Cavs history but it's pretty darn close

Bron_Melo_ROY · 05-18-2006, 08:16 PM

No Sheed, right?

**Pioneer10** · 05-18-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bron_Melo_ROY

No Sheed, right?

Sheed is playing: Miller screwed up on the telecast and though Sheed was going to be suspended but he doesn't have enough techs.

Larry Hughes for Retirement · 05-18-2006, 10:35 PM

Ya know what is crappy, I watched and its almost true about all 82 home games, if i had to TiVo them or watch the telecast the next afternoon. And of course every minute in the Wizards seriest and the start of the Pistons series, then I move down to Hilton Head, South Carolina for my internship. Out of Ohio and away from all my Cavalier (Cleveland fans) fans, the Cavs were down 0-2 when I left. So I am beginning to think I should never return to Ohio and Cleveland will go undefeated and win rings/titles/super bowls till the end of time?

But once again just like wednesday I will have to tape the game tonight (friday), the Cavaliers are 1-0 when I tape them (wednesday) and 3-0 since I've left Ohio. So we can all hope and pray that this trend continues, keep the fan base and posting alive, cheer alittle extra for me. I will be at work till about midnight with my phone and computer off so no one can let me know what happens only to return and watch it a few hours later.

Lets go Cavs!!!!!!!!!!

futuristxen · 05-19-2006, 12:43 AM

The media's head is going to explode if the Cavs win this.

Marc Stein walking down the halls of ESPN: "This isn't in the script, this isn't in the script. Darko!!!! Wherefor art thou Darko!!! WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME!!!?"
BJ Armstrong: "I won't let them harm my precious Kobe. What me? I wouldn't hurt a fly. I'm BJ Armstrong."
Scottie Pippen: "Michael who?"
Michael Wilbon: "Dwayne Wade is better than Lebron James. Until Lebron beats Dwayne Wade he hasn't proven anything"
Tony Kornheiser: "Didja see the Sopranos last week Wilbon? Who ya gonna kick out of the hot tub, Tonya Harding, Manute Bol, or the bear falling from the tree?"
Ric Bucher: "What do you mean I can't do a one hour special on Kobe Bryant?"
Will Perdue: "I'm an idiot."

I just realized this, but there are a **** lot of old Bulls players working for ESPN these days.

knicksfan89 · 05-19-2006, 08:13 AM

i wish you luck tonight, hopefully remove these BLEEPS from the playoffs

knicksfan89 · 05-19-2006, 08:14 AM

1992 was the last time you made it to the ECF

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