2008 Woodie Awards
LeBron's 33 lead the way in victory over Charlotte
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Sports
CLEVELAND (AP) - LeBron James led the way again, but some late help from his teammates helped save the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.
While James scored 33 points, two baskets by Ben Wallace - the veteran forward's only points of the game - and a clutch jumper by Delonte West, helped the Cavaliers hold off a late Charlotte rally to defeat the Bobcats, 98-91.
James, the league's leading scorer, was more than happy to share the spotlight.
"It shows they can help this team if we put them in positions to score," said James, who had 10 assists and seven rebounds.
The Cavaliers held on after nearly squandering an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Jason Richardson, who matched James with 33 points, sparked Charlotte's comeback. He scored nine straight points, including two 3-pointers and a three-point play late in the game.
Richardson's second 3-pointer in his spurt cut the lead to 92-91 with 1:08 left, but West hit an 18-foot jumper with 52.7 seconds left to put Cleveland up by three.
James guarded Richardson on the Bobcats' next possession and forced him to the baseline. Richardson got to the basket, but Wallace was in his way and the Bobcats' leading scorer couldn't convert his point-blank shot.
As he usually does in close games, James took on the assignment of trying to stop the opponent's top player.
"I'm always going to take a challenge defensively," he said. "He did catch fire. I was able to speed him up a little bit and the weak-side defense came over and helped."
Cleveland coach Mike Brown is constantly preaching defense to his team.
"At that point you need to get a stop," James said. "You know down the stretch that if you can get one stop and a score, then the game can get out of reach. We were able to accomplish that."
James put the game away with a bank shot after heavy contact in the lane with 10.3 seconds left.
Wallace, who had 15 rebounds, was scoreless until scoring inside on a pass from West with 1:57 left and following with a dunk off West's missed layup on the Cavaliers' next possession. His baskets kept Cleveland ahead during Richardson's splurge.
While James scored 33 points, two baskets by Ben Wallace - the veteran forward's only points of the game - and a clutch jumper by Delonte West, helped the Cavaliers hold off a late Charlotte rally to defeat the Bobcats, 98-91.
James, the league's leading scorer, was more than happy to share the spotlight.
"It shows they can help this team if we put them in positions to score," said James, who had 10 assists and seven rebounds.
The Cavaliers held on after nearly squandering an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Jason Richardson, who matched James with 33 points, sparked Charlotte's comeback. He scored nine straight points, including two 3-pointers and a three-point play late in the game.
Richardson's second 3-pointer in his spurt cut the lead to 92-91 with 1:08 left, but West hit an 18-foot jumper with 52.7 seconds left to put Cleveland up by three.
James guarded Richardson on the Bobcats' next possession and forced him to the baseline. Richardson got to the basket, but Wallace was in his way and the Bobcats' leading scorer couldn't convert his point-blank shot.
As he usually does in close games, James took on the assignment of trying to stop the opponent's top player.
"I'm always going to take a challenge defensively," he said. "He did catch fire. I was able to speed him up a little bit and the weak-side defense came over and helped."
Cleveland coach Mike Brown is constantly preaching defense to his team.
"At that point you need to get a stop," James said. "You know down the stretch that if you can get one stop and a score, then the game can get out of reach. We were able to accomplish that."
James put the game away with a bank shot after heavy contact in the lane with 10.3 seconds left.
Wallace, who had 15 rebounds, was scoreless until scoring inside on a pass from West with 1:57 left and following with a dunk off West's missed layup on the Cavaliers' next possession. His baskets kept Cleveland ahead during Richardson's splurge.
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