The Wizards said Cleveland super star LeBron James was overrated and the Cavaliers were everyone’s first choice to face in the playoffs.
Cleveland 93-86. James — 32 points.
It was only one loss, but it better be a humiliating one or three more will follow when the best of seven series resumes tonight. James scored the first six points during a critical 11-0 late run that sealed the win on Saturday while the Wiz missed 10 straight shots. King James delivered a monsterous dunk. He started enough near fights to make the concurrent Capitals game look tame.
Think James didn’t notice Washington’s pregame taunts? After that Jordanesque slam, James waved his hand in front of his face to mimic Wiz trashtalker DeShawn Stevenson, who was 1 of 9. You don’t mess with one of the game’s greats and not pay for it.
But, it’s only one game. The Wizards are clearly the better team. It may go seven games, but Washington should finally shake the Cavaliers after two straight playoff eliminations.
The most encouraging stat was Gilbert Arenas’ 24 points in 28 minutes off the bench. Agent Zero isn’t 100 percent after missing 65 games following knee surgery, but Arenas is superb in limited minutes. He’s the dagger in close contests.
Also encouraging was Antawn Jamison’s 23 points and 19 rebounds. After averaging 32 points in last year’s playoff loss when the Wiz were minus Caron Butler and Arenas, Jamison proved he’s not a second option behind his healthy teammates. Of course, Jamison becomes a free agent in the offseason so every playoff success rings the cash register, but so what? Jamison has proven himself a baller the Wiz can hopefully re-sign. Nineteen rebounds is amazing.
Brendan Haywood’s 15 points and 10 rebounds also continues a strong season for the once troubled player who fought with teammate Etan Thomas — literally. The Wiz need a strong inside presence and Haywood is no longer a liability.
The Wiz have to change up to avoid an 0-2 hole, though. They must be more aggressive inside despite Jamison and Haywood’s combined 29 boards. Cleveland took 20 more free throws in the opener. Home court aside, that’s a gigantic difference. Arenas fouled out and Haywood was one away from ejection, but a lot of it was chasing James. Smarter defense solves that.
Washington must steal a road win to end the series in six. If it goes seven games in Cleveland, let’s just hope the Wiz keep quiet before that meeting. No blogging, no bravado. Save the taunts for round two.
Rick Snider hascovered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
