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**remy23** · 04-27-2008, 12:38 PM

Excellent shot by Delonte West. Cleveland knew that Washington's defense would respond to any penetration (even if only a few steps forward) on LeBron's part and LeBron passed to the open player in the corner. Even if West had missed that shot, the Cavaliers got a good open shot there.

**remy23** · 04-27-2008, 12:42 PM

Cleveland wins! What a game.

Looking at the box score, the Wizards had 5 players in double-figures and Cleveland only had 3. Thus this game boiled down to the combined effort of Stevenson, Arenas, Haywood, Butler, and Jamison trying to will Washington to victory. That effort was countered by the combined efforts of James, West and Gibson.

It boiled down to LeBron playing well and having his shooters step up too. Inside/outside attack.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 04-27-2008, 12:42 PM

Great road win. Cavs take control of the series

**LOYALTY** · 04-27-2008, 02:37 PM

When the guards contribute, the Cavaliers win. They still don't have a PG in the true "floor general" sense, but if Gibson and West do the little things well it equals a Cavs victory.

I wish that Varejao would finish like a 6'11 post player instead of finishing like a 5'10 guard. That is the other thing missing. But it will all hopefully come together after the draft and the free agent signings.

**Pioneer10** · 04-27-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOYALTY

When the guards contribute, the Cavaliers win. They still don't have a PG in the true "floor general" sense, but if Gibson and West do the little things well it equals a Cavs victory.

I wish that Varejao would finish like a 6'11 post player instead of finishing like a 5'10 guard. That is the other thing missing. But it will all hopefully come together after the draft and the free agent signings.

It's amazing how many weakness we have and we still manage to be a decent team. We have no big man who finishes strong, no consistent second scorer, no playmaking PG

**remy23** · 04-28-2008, 09:09 PM

Game #5

VS

Washington Wizards (1-3) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1)

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Time: 3:00pm PT, 6:00pm ET
TV: TNT, FSN Ohio/WUAB
Radio: WTAM 1100
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

HEAD COACHES

ESPN's Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards Page | Yahoo's Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards Page

Quote:

Delonte West's Three-Point Dagger Isn't the First Shot That's Worn Down the Wiz

Three-Ball – In the Corner

Most sports arenas and stadiums have “spots” – places on the floor or field where a game- or season- or franchise-changing event took place. It might be considered haunted or hallowed. There’s the spot on the field at Mile High where Ernest Byner fumbled away the AFC Championship or the spot at what was once the Delta Center where Michael Jordan canned a jumper for his final title.
Then there’s the spot at the Verizon Center – give or take six feet – where the Cavaliers have continued to flummox the Wizards. Damon Jones found it three years ago when he canned the 18-footer that put the Wine and Gold into the Second Round; Delonte West found it again on Sunday.

With the clock winding down, LeBron James wove his way around DeShawn Stevenson, left his feet the second Gilbert Arenas came to double-him and fired a laser to West in that corner. Delonte – who had already knocked down four big treys – calmly launched the bomb and splashed home the game-winner with 5.4 to play.

The shot from the spot didn’t win the series for the Cavaliers – the way Damon Jones’ had – but it got them one game closer to closing out a frustrated Wizards team for the third straight season.

Coach Mike Brown actually wanted his team to take fewer three-pointers against the Wizards, and concentrate more on getting to the line. But on Sunday, with Washington packing the paint to stop LeBron, the Wine and Gold went for the aerial assault, with West and Daniel Gibson doing almost all their damage from beyond the arc.

West, a D.C. native, has played on the floor of the Verizon Center several times as a high school player and he’s undoubtedly canned his share of three-pointers from that spot.

“It always feels good to come back to where I grew up playing,” said the soft-spoken guard. “It feels good to get to this point and it feels good to do it for my Momma and all my family.”

West was the hero on Sunday in a knock-down, drag-out contest that certainly had its share. LeBron led everyone with 34 points and 12 boards. Joe Smith was a beast on the offensive glass. And Ben Wallace was a huge presence, without attempting a single shot.

And then there was Daniel Gibson, who – at least in the postseason – always seems to be in the right spot. Gibson drilled three of his four treys in the second half, including the clutch bomb with the shot clock winding down to put Cleveland up six with 3:13 to play.

“I kind of have a knack for that – being in the right place at the right time – finding myself open and hitting a big shot,” smiled Boobie, following Sunday’s win. “I attribute that to my teammates. They always seem to find me at those moments.”

Boobie’s barrage put the Cavaliers in a position to get the win and Delonte’s dagger sealed the deal.

The Wizards, who seemed to come into the First Round series with an air of frustration to them, must be feeling the frustration of looking at another uphill battle against the Cavaliers. It’s been déjà vu all over again for Eddie Jordan’s club.

Of course, it all started with Damon Jones' bomb from that same corner back in Game 6 of the 2005-06 playoffs. It was the Wine and Gold’s first foray into the postseason since Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ rookie year eight years earlier, and LeBron James’ first appearance ever.

With the Cavaliers trailing by a point and facing a Game 7 the following Sunday in Cleveland, the Wine and Gold worked the ball around the perimeter until it found the DJ – alone in the corner.

“I was out there as the decoy, but Washington felt that because they were up one point that they had to take the ball out of LeBron’s hands and make somebody else win the game,” recalled Jones. “Fortunately, we moved the ball really well, and I got a good look.”

Jones – who has yet to see significant minutes in this First Round series – confidently stepped in and splashed home the series-winning shot from the spot.

Once again the Wizards are forced to face the Cavaliers from behind the 8-ball – coming to Cleveland with their postseason lives on the line this Wednesday night. There are plenty of spots on the floor of The Q that have perplexed the Wiz Kids – a team that has to be feeling the frustration after yesterday’s white-knuckle defeat.

“I think Washington definitely had some flashbacks,” LeBron quipped, referring to yesterday’s nail-biter. “We’ve definitely hit some big shots in this building – either by myself or you go back to last year where Sasha hit a dagger right in front of their bench to close out the game or Damon hitting a big shot to close out the series.

“And now you have Delonte – a guy who knocks down a big shot today in front of his hometown. It’s kind of all worked out.”

It’s worked out well for the Wine and Gold through three of the four games of the First Round, and they definitely have a mental edge on the Wizards at the Verizon Center. Just the same, they’d rather win it on Wednesday at home and not have to head back to D.C. to press their luck.

It's time for Cleveland to close the door on this battle. If they can win, they will get extra rest before the next round begins. If DeShawn tries to foul hard and give flagrants, Cleveland must keep playing strong and not buy into a dying man's final bluff. Don't play into their hands.

**Pioneer10** · 04-28-2008, 10:05 PM

Finish it off boys and get the popcorn out to watch the Hawks/Celtics

**remy23** · 04-30-2008, 03:58 PM

Cleveland is down a little here in the 2nd quarter. The Wizards are stretching the foul and hitting the long shots right now.

**remy23** · 04-30-2008, 04:08 PM

Cleveland still is settling for jumpers and slow to get into their offense.

**remy23** · 04-30-2008, 04:11 PM

Cleveland trials by 2 points at halftime 43-45.

UrFavTeamSux · 04-30-2008, 04:32 PM

I love the fact that they're shooting over 50 and we're only down two at half.

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