LeBron James put up 27 points, eight rebounds
and six assists and got plenty of help from Cleveland's supporting cast, as
the Cavaliers used a big second half en route to a 102-90 win over Washington.
Shaquille O'Neal ended with 21 points and eight boards, and Daniel Gibson hit
four three-pointers off the bench during a 14-point effort for the Cavs, who
have won three straight after dropping the first two games of the season.
Mo Williams chipped in 15 points and doled out six helpers, while Anderson
Varejao recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Delonte West, on a day he was indicted on multiple weapon charges by a grand
jury stemming from his arrest in September, notched four points and four
assists in a reserve role.
Gilbert Arenas ended with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the
Wizards, who have alternated wins and losses through their first four games.
Caron Butler, playing with a bruised knee, also tallied 22 points in defeat.
The Cavs woke up in the second quarter and a Gibson three-ball capped an 8-0
spurt near the five-minute mark.
"Early on we couldn't make any shots, but we stayed in the game because of our
defense," James said. "Once we started knocking down shots it brings a lot of
energy to our defense. We just locked down that end."
The Wizards still led, 54-50, at the break, but Cleveland rode the momentum of
the second frame into the third. Williams drained a three near the midway
point to put the finishing touches on 10 straight points for a 62-58 lead.
The 78-73 margin after three quarters was stretched even further with James on
the bench in the early stages of the fourth. Jamario Moon hit a three-pointer,
Williams went up-and-under in the lane, and he and Gibson hit back-to-back
treys for a commanding 91-77 edge with 7 1/2 minutes to play.
"The guys that really hurt us were their perimeter [players]. Their three-
point shots probably did us in as much as anything," Wizards head coach Flip
Saunders said.
It was a double-digit affair the rest of the way.
Washington outhustled the hosts in the opening quarter -- highlighted by
Andray Blatche's putback dunk -- for a 31-17 lead after 12 minutes.
Game Notes
West was indicted Tuesday on two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, two
counts of carrying a handgun, two counts of transporting a handgun, one count
each of reckless driving and negligent driving, after a traffic stop while he
was driving his motorcycle...Washington and Cleveland split a four-game season
series a year ago, with each team winning on its home floor. The Wizards have
lost six in a row as the visitor in this series...Mike Miller ended with 12
points for Washington, which lost despite making 32-of-41 free throws.
©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
