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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Cavaliers Undo James's Triple-Double to upset Heat

In an horrendous season of losses, Cleveland got the win it wanted most.

The Cavaliers took down LeBron James.

Despite blowing a 23 point lead, the Cavs rallied and beat Miami Heat 102-90 on Tuesday night, who received a dose of revenge against James, who made his second return visit to Cleveland since he left the last summer.

JJ Hickson scored 21 and Anthony Parker scored 20 for the Cavs, who were ashamed of James and the Heat 118-90 on Dec. 2 - the night when the Cleveland fans unleashed their anger is a superstar.

This time, James left the ground, hanging his head. He finished with 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

In the last seconds, a crowd of 20,562 cut loose to win even the most loyal fans could not imagine Cleveland. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who has accused James quit in the playoffs last year after the two-time MVP said he was going to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in an ill-conceived TV special, everybody hit the high hand in hand.

On the floor behind, headed Parker, the last 3-pointers with 2:47 left capped a 12-0 run and put the heat away, Cavs fans.

"You deserve it," he said.

Cavaliers were a different team - literally - in a series against the Heat here in December. Injuries and trades have reduced list of Cleveland to a shell of a James has played with and helped win 60 games last season.

Heat almost rallied from 23 down and tied 83-all on Mike Bibby March 7 points with 7:03 left. But Miami, which wasted a chance to move into second place in the ranking of the East, has no goal for 4:24, gave the Cavs to get their 15th victory after winning the most lopsided of this season.

Wade added 24 and the Heat, who had their winning streak stopped at five.

Cleveland shot 56 percent in the countryside, a number that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra probably will use it to motivate his team to play better defense, as he prepares for the playoffs.

Baron Davis got his first start since joining Cleveland in a trade, and the veteran scored 10 points and leadership. Cavs also got a boost from center Ryan Hollins, who had 13 points, three blocks and played physical - something no player has done in Cleveland in December.

There was not the same poison and hatred that has swept the first visit of James four months ago. The audience was energetic, but not so angry action against James, who was booed every time he touched the ball. Security was extremely high, but there were no incidents reported.

The teams took turns to go on long runs in a wild district, comings and goings of others.

Cleveland scored 18 straight points and opened a lead of 71-48, sending their fans into a frenzy and put the fire in a deep hole. But Miami was far from over by Wade hit a couple 3-pointers and scored 10 points in a 19-1 syringe that fired the Heat within 72-67 on jumper James.

Christian Eyenga of 3-points with two seconds left put the Cavs front 75-67. James threw a 3-pointer a few steps after the half-field at the end of the quarter, a shot that was initially ruled no good, but changed after officials reviewed replays of television between periods and determined that there was a clock error.

James arrived at the arena, home of professional basketball in seven seasons at 05:12 wearing a helmet and a shirt with the inscription: "Long Live The King" James has security guards and greeted a few before diving into the locker room for second time visitors.

James was not sure what he would face, but he was confident things would not be nearly as hostile as his previous visit.

"I expect the worst," he said. "No. But the worst of the last time, Dec. 2?"

James dodged the first blast of whistles, remaining players in the locker room during presentations. He entered the scene around the dark, when the Cavs came.

After the return of Santiago in December, the Cavs were criticized by their fans for the way he acted around his former teammate. Fans thought they were too many jokes, and thought someone needed to step up to Santiago and to provide a drive failure.

Hollins has taken it upon himself to get physical with Wade and hit him with a forearm. Moments later, the two had words and were both assessed technicals.

James Hickson knocked on his rear in the way later in the first quarter, but James was shot as he fell to the floor and closed the game with three points. It ended the quarter with 13 points but failed to score in the second when the Cavs built a lead of 16 points.

Miami cut in half with a 8-0 run, but Davis knocked down 3-pointer to give the horn Cavs 53-42 halftime lead.
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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Heat Record their 4th with 15-0 Run to Thump Pistons 100-94

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Chris Bosh added 23 to help the Miami Heat rally for a 100-94 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

LeBron James had 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Miami, which has won six of seven following a five-game losing streak.

The Heat trailed by 11 late in the third quarter before Mike Miller made a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Miami then scored the first 15 points of the fourth to take an 88-81 lead.

Detroit had the ball down by four in the final minute, but Greg Monroe missed a layup, forcing the Pistons to foul.

Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 27 points.

Hamilton made back-to-back 3-pointers from the same spot in the left corner late in the third to give the Pistons a 78-70 lead. Mike Bibby appeared to answer with a 3-pointer of his own with the shot clock running out, but the Miami guard's shot ended up being disallowed between quarters.

Detroit led 81-73 after three, but went scoreless until Tracy McGrady made a shot from the top of the key with 6:25 left in the game.

Detroit committed two defensive 3-second violations in the first 1:13 of the fourth, and when James Jones made a 3-pointer and James added a left-handed layup, the Heat had an 82-81 advantage — their first lead since 8-7.

Rodney Stuckey fired up the crowd a bit with a one-handed dunk on a drive through the lane for Detroit, but James did him one better shortly after that, throwing down an emphatic right-handed dunk off a pass from Wade to make it 94-85.
In his previous game at Detroit, James made news by taking a heckler to task early in Miami's win over the Pistons. The focus was on the court this time, and although James wasn't at his best, the Heat had enough offensive balance to pull through once they started shutting down Detroit early in the final quarter.

Bibby made his first start for Miami in his 11th game with the team, scoring five points. The Heat are without guard Mario Chalmers (sprained right knee) and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (right foot infection).

Miller finished with 13 points for Miami.

Monroe had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Pistons, while Tayshaun Prince added 13 points and Chris Wilcox scored 10.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Knicks Deem they’ll Get it Right by Playoffs

Greenburgh, NY - Even before needing five stitches above his left eye, Carmelo Anthony understood this could be painful.

Despite the New York Knicks were seen as a dangerous team after trading for him, but are two games in 0500, and that did the trick. And the more time they spend together, the worse they played.

A team with Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, the NBA's second highest scoring duo running Mike D'Antoni's system that has suffered three straight subpar offensive Thurs and the offense is supposed to be the highlight Knicks.

But when they reach one month anniversary of his arrival, Anthony says that these games are not a surprise, and he still believes it is time for the Knicks before passing.

"It's something I tell myself I keep telling the guys on the team, at the end of the day will get where we want to do. And I'm not too worried about it," Anthony said Tuesday after practice to look a little bloated after what he said was the first time he needed stitches.

"I am sure I am in favor of making it happen, making it all work, and especially I know we are losing games at the moment, but everyone seems that their energy is up, no bend the head and the sadness of nothing because everyone knows that would not be easy. This is a long road to get where we want to be. "

It was a lot more potholes than anyone could have imagined.

New York fell to 7-9 by Anthony on Monday to acquire 96-86 loss to the Boston Celtics, when he cut off after the collision with Rajon Rondo trying to steal the pass. The Knicks have dropped six of seven years, and 35-35, is to lose a record for the first time since November, if they lose on Wednesday in Orlando team that has already been beaten twice this season.

The Knicks talked about moving to No 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but are lagging behind in Philadelphia in the seventh, after they had the No. 6 spot for more than three months.
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Monday, March 21, 2011

K'Love injured in Timberwolves' blowout loss

Minneapolis, Minnesota (Reuters) - The NBA's leading rebounder Kevin Love injured his groin and walked off the court and returned to action during the Minnesota Timberwolves '127-95 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Love, who earlier this season, a record in modern times in the NBA with 53 consecutive games of at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, left the game early in the second quarter and was wandering with three rebounds.

"He was just upset," said Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis team's website (www.nba.com / Timberwolves). "I was not informed about what was bothering him before the game."

Love averaged 20.6 points and 15.6 rebounds per game, before the meeting on Sunday.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cavs thrash Kings for rare road win

Sacramento, California - Ramon Sessions scored 20 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a rare road victory, against the Sacramento Kings 97-93 on Wednesday night.

Cleveland opened the season by winning three of its first four road games, but had only one win on March 4 in New York since then.

Cleveland, which snapped a four-game losing streak overall, has dropped 28 of 29 games away from home since November 10.

Marcus Thornton had 23 points for the Kings, who lost seven of eight. Samuel Dalembert contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih both scored 14 points while rookie DeMarcus Cousins ​​had 11 points and 16 rebounds.

JJ Hickson scored 17 points for Cleveland, Luke Harangody had 15 and Samuels added 13 Samard

The game was a clash between teams with little to look forward until the NBA draft in June. Cavaliers have the worst record (13-53) in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings (16-50) has the worst record in the West.

Thornton has hit a 3 three-pointers and scored nine points in the third quarter for the Kings, who trailed by eight at one point but recovered in the last five minutes or more to take the lead 74-73 in fourth position.

When Samuels made two free throws to tie the game Udrih made a deal to turn the two cousins ​​is moving at 01:21 mark to put the Kings up 93-91. But two free throws that tied the game again Harangody 93

After an attack error against Cousins, Sessions passed three defenders and made a reverse layup for the Cavaliers ahead 95-93 with 16 seconds left.

Looking to tie the game, missed a driving layup Cousins ​​and Alonzo Gee got the rebound and was fouled quickly. Gee made two free throws with 3.3 seconds left to seal the victory.

Town six points at half, the Cavaliers used 13-3 run to take a 65-58 lead mid-third quarter. But the 3-pointer and two other Garcia, Thornton helped the Kings take 67-65 lead 4:41 left in the third.

Cousins ​​had 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half of the Kings, who led 51-45. Harangody scored 11 points for the Cavaliers rushed, who committed 12 turnovers.
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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Federer, Djokovic cruise, Clijsters out in Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) – Novak Djokovic extended his match win streak to 16 and Roger Federer barely broke a sweat as they powered their way into the Indian Wells fourth round with straight-set wins.

Djokovic on Tuesday capped his 6-0, 6-1 demolition of Ernests Gulbis with back-to-back aces and Federer had an equally easy time ousting Juan Ignacio Chela 6-0, 6-2 in the $9 million WTA and ATP Masters Series 1000 tournament.

The aces were an ideal exclamation point to a perfect season so far for Djokovic who has won all 14 of his matches this year.

"I have been playing great tennis, best tennis of my life," he said.

Djokovic, who is looking to secure his second Indian Wells title, has been unstoppable this year and is 16-0 dating back to a pair of Davis Cup matches late last season.

"I cannot ask for a better start of the year," he said. "I mean, I'm just building up on that confidence and continuing to play well, and feeling up from that run that I have from Davis Cup final."

Djokovic fired four aces Tuesday as he broke Gulbis' serve five times in the 54-minute match.

"You try to take serious every opponent you have even though you are a favourite in the match," Djokovic said.

"I was just trying to keep the ball in the court, not doing too much, just returning a lot and making him play an extra shot and changing the pace."

He captured his second major title at the Australian Open in January and followed up with his 20th career ATP Tour title last month in Dubai.

The 22-year-old Djokovic has dropped just five games so far after opening with a 6-0, 6-4 against Andrey Golubev.

Djokovic moves on to face his Serbian countryman and doubles partner Victor Troicki who beat France's Michael Llodra 6-3, 6-3. Troicki and Djokovic will play each other Wednesday in singles then team up for their doubles match.

Federer was on the court just four minutes longer in the hot California desert sun than Djokovic.

Chela handed Federer the first set with a pair of double faults on the final two points. He finished with six double faults while Federer won 80 percent of his first serve points.

The three-time champion Federer is looking to regain his match fitness as he has played just three tournaments this year and hasn't made the final of the last four Grand Slams.

The 16-time major winner booked his berth in the fourth round where he will play the winner of a match between Canadian wildcard Milos Raonic and Ryan Harrison of the United States.

In other men's matches Tuesday, Czech Tomas Berdych beat Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-3, 6-2, Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka defeated Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-3 and Richard Gasquet surprised 10th seed Jurgen Melzer of Germany 6-1, 6-3.

Second seed Kim Clijsters and defending woman's champion Jelena Jankovic and reigning French Open champ Francesca Schiavone, seeded fifth, were added to the growing list of seeded casualties on the women's side Tuesday.

Clijsters pulled out of her match with a shoulder injury in the second set against Marion Bartoli and Jankovic lost to Serbian countrywoman Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-2. Italy's Schiavone lost in a third set tiebreaker to Shahar Peer 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.

Clijsters won the first set 6-3 but then called for the trainer early in the second set before packing it in with Bartoli leading 3-1.

The sixth seeded Jankovic was attempting to become the first women since Martina Navratilova (1990 and 1991) to defend her title at Indian Wells.

"I just didn't move. I felt really stuck with my feet," Jankovic said. Ivanovic added to the Serbian assault on Indian Wells Tuesday by hitting seven aces and saving six-of-seven break point chances to post her seventh win over Jankovic in 10 meetings.

"I'm really happy," Ivanovic said. "I played some good tennis in the past few weeks. To play consistent on that level, I'm really pleased."
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Monday, March 14, 2011

Bosh scores 30, the Heat roll Spurs 110-80

MIAMI - The Miami Heat was in the inversion symmetry.

Lose 30 San Antonio, winning 30 in Miami.

Chris Bosh scored 30 points and 12 rebounds, Dwyane Wade scored 29 and the Miami Heat avenged their worst loss of the season by rolling over the NBA-leading Spurs 110-80 on Monday night.

"It 's really huge for us, just to get even with this team," said Bosh. "They beat us pretty good, and I'm glad we were able to make a perfect game today. But at the same time is only a game."

LeBron James finished with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds and the Heat, who have won three straight and moved two games in the Eastern Conference of the pioneers in Boston and Chicago.

Miami lost 125-95 at San Antonio on March 4, the midpoint of a five-game slide that now seems almost forgotten after the victories over the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and now the Spurs.

"Sometimes when you get the results we have and who have this extreme noise from the outside, which can be a distraction if you let it," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "But in terms of types confidence, never wavered. This is a very confident group. But the consistency that we had in the last three games is something we can build."

It was the Spurs' biggest regular-season loss since April 7, 2005, a 104-68 defeat to Dallas.

Tony Parker scored 18 points and Tim Duncan added 14 for the Spurs, who won 15 of their last 18 against Miami. Before Monday, the worst loss in San Antonio this season was a 96-72 defeat to New Orleans.

And he has been instrumental in the scoring column: Miami outrebounded the Spurs 47-33 and shot 54 percent in San Antonio 38.

"We did a lot of shots in San Antonio and have done a lot of shots," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose team suffered its third lowest total score is the fifth-worst shooting effort of the season. "What goes around comes around."

According to STATS LLC, is only the second time in NBA history that two clubs had two series win once with 30 or more. The second event came last season as Dallas beat New York 50 to Madison Square Garden, then lost at home to the Knicks with 34 nearly two months later.

Add San Antonio 123-101 loss to Orlando on Dec. 23, and the Spurs two trips to the Sunshine State this season were the losses by a combined 52 points.

Mario Chalmers scored 11 for Miami. Manu Ginobili finished with 12 and Antonio McDyess scored 10 for the Spurs.

"They needed the game more than us," said Ginobili. "They were more shocked than us, and are a good team. We're not playing for second division in Asia. We're talking about the Heat."

When the teams met a week and a half ago, it was more after one quarter. San Antonio ran an advance of 36-12, eight 3-pointers in the first quarter alone en route to a franchise-record 17 connections beyond the arc.

Funny how things even out: In Miami, the Spurs were able to get very little out of the paint in the fall. They finished 6 for 22, 3.

San Antonio shot just 6 of 25 from the field in the first half, 1 of 9 in the second quarter and the Heat held the Spurs to their fourth lowest output during the first 24 minutes of a game this season. The driver of the Heat was 49-39 at halftime, with Bosh and Wade combined for 31 points and 12 rebounds along the road.

Meanwhile, Duncan and remove McDyess - 9 and 13 combined in the middle - and the Spurs were downright devastating offensive. Together, their comrades fired nine of 33 in the first two quarters.

"They definitely had a lot of energy," Parker said the heat. "But all in all, they just played better than us."

The Spurs are things going in the third, particularly Parker, who hit June 5 shots and scored 14 in the period.

But the result was never in doubt. Wade took James for a dunk with 10:14 left, then uttered a joyous cry the way back to the other end. It was a cry of longer duration 17 seconds later, after stealing the ball to Steve Novak and calls for a dunk of his own that led to Miami 87-67 edge.
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