Cavs, Celtics figure in early showdown

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to an NBA playoff date with Boston by beating Chicago, 96-94, in Game 5 on Tuesday, clinching a 4-1 series victory. Cleveland’s LeBron James just missed a triple-double despite an apparently sore right elbow. James scored 19 points – 16 in the second half – and added 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Cavs finally saddled the stubborn Bulls. Unable to lift his right arm, James was forced to shoot a free throw left-handed with 7.8 seconds left.

Antawn Jamison scored 25 points for Cleveland, which will face the Celtics, reuniting teams that don’t like each other and who played a testy seven-game series in 2008. Game 1 is Saturday. Derrick Rose scored 31 points and Luol Deng 26 for the Bulls, who had several shots roll in and out in the final minutes. It could be the final game as Bulls coach for Vinny Del Negro. In Los Angeles, the hosts bounced back from successive losses to thrash Oklahoma City, 111-87, and reclaim the initiative in the series, taking a 3-2 lead.

Pau Gasol had 25 points and 11 rebounds and Andrew Bynum added 21 points for the Lakers. Kobe Bryant had 13 points and seven assists in three quarters of work as the defending NBA champions coolly shook off the Thunder’s blowout win in Game 4 by comprehensively beating the postseason newcomers. Game 6 is Friday in Oklahoma City, where the top-seeded Lakers will attempt to reach the Western Conference semifinals for the third straight year. Kevin Durant scored 17 points and Russell Westbrook had 15 on combined 9-for-27 shooting for Oklahoma City, which never recovered after missing its first 13 shots.

In Boston, Ray Allen scored 24 points, making five 3-pointers in the second half, to help Boston eliminate Miami in Game 5, 96-86. With star Dwyane Wade expected to become a free agent, it was the Heat’s final game before what looms as an eventful summer in Miami. Boston advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals thanks to 16 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds from Rajon Rondo. Paul Pierce scored 21 for the Celtics, who will play Cleveland.

Wade scored 31 points – far short of the franchise postseason-record 46 he scored Sunday in Game 4 in Miami to help the Heat stave off elimination. In Dallas, the hosts stayed alive in the series by beating San Antonio, 103-81, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Caron Butler scored a career playoff-best 35 points and had 11 rebounds, while Brendan Haywood provided a strong inside presence at both ends in his first start of this postseason. The Spurs still have two more chances to get into the second round. Game 6 is Thursday at San Antonio. Only eight teams have ever blown a 3-1 lead.

Publisher: AP
photo credit: PhilStar.com
Sports News Source: Philstar.com