LeBron James on Sunday played through a number of injuries as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Atlanta Hawks 114-111 in overtime to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
James recorded his first triple-double of the playoffs, finishing with 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists as Cleveland pushed the Hawks to the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven series.
“No matter how I am feeling, I have got to try and make some plays,” James said. “I felt like I couldn’t give more, but then it was mind over matter. I was able to push through.”
Photo: AFP
The banged up Cavaliers can advance to the NBA Finals with a win in Game 4 today.
A hobbled James thought about taking himself out of the game in overtime, but changed his mind. The pain on his face was plain to see when he drained a three-pointer with under a minute left to give the Cavaliers the lead.
Exhausted and sore, James then dropped to the floor after Sheldon Mack’s potentially tying shot from beyond the arc bounced off the rim and out of harm’s way as the final buzzer sounded.
“You name them. We could play doctor right now with how many injuries I got,” James said. “We are a desperate team. We are a banged up team and if we come out and play as hard as we can, we defend on a high level and we share ball offensively then we will give ourselves a chance to win.”
James, who missed his first 10 shots, ended 14-of-37 from the field. His shot to give Cleveland a 112-111 advantage with 36 seconds left was his only three-pointer of the contest in front of a crowd of 20,500 at the Quicken Loans Arena.
He banked in a field goal with 12 seconds left just one possession later, and Mack missed a pair of three-point attempts in the final five seconds.
Cavaliers coach David Blatt said James was dealing with cramps.
“He played through pain, he played through cramps and he just would not let us lose. He wouldn’t let us lose, amazing,” Blatt said.
James has had dehydration problems throughout his career. He had to leave Game 1 of last year’s NBA Finals, while a member of the Miami Heat, with painful and debilitating leg cramps.
Already without Kyle Korver on Sunday due to an ankle injury, the Hawks lost All-Star forward Al Horford during the final minute of the opening half following a dust up with Cavaliers Matthew Dellavedova. The incident occurred after Horford and Dellavedova were fighting for a loose ball rebound.
Horford was assessed a foul and was thrown out of the game. He had scored 14 points on seven-of-10 shooting before leaving the contest.
“He was carrying us,” Hawks guard Jeff Teague said.
The scrappy Dellavedova, who was handed a technical foul on the play, injured Korver Friday when he dove into his legs going for a loose ball. Horford retaliated against Dellavedova after a similar aggressive low dive.
“There has just got to be a line at some point,” Horford said. “He is a competitor, but he has to learn that at end of the day it is a big brotherhood. Guys look out for each other.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely