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Without McGrady, Rockets lose again
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-23 14:42
Drew Gooden added 13 points and 15 rebounds — his fifth double-double — and
Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 19 points for the Cavaliers, whose closest game at home
was a 15-point win over Washington on Nov. 15.
In their past two games, James and Hughes, who signed with Cleveland as a
free agent during the summer, have combined for 134 points.
Ricky Davis scored 27 points with 15 rebounds, Paul Pierce had 24 points and
Mark Blount 21 for Boston, which was still within 10 points with 6:55 left.
But Hughes drilled a 3-pointer, Eric Snow dropped two free throws and James
completed a three-point play as the Cavs pushed their lead to 102-89 with 4:57
left. Safely ahead, Mike Brown then emptied his bench of reserves — something he
has been able to do during each home game this season.
A 3-pointer by Davis brought the Celtics within 74-72 in the third quarter,
when James took over at point guard and took over the game.
He scored Cleveland's next 10 points, capping his outburst and a 15-point
period by burying a 3-pointer from the top of the key over Dan Dickau and Justin
Reed with 1.9 seconds left to give the Cavs a 84-73 lead.
In the first half, the Cavaliers lost one of their best outside shooters when
point guard Damon Jones sprained his left ankle after banging knees with Davis.
Jones was moving to his left while playing defense against Davis and rolled
his ankle when the two got locked up. Jones did not return and the said he's
questionable for Thursday's game at Indiana.
Back-to-back three-point plays by Gooden and James helped the Cavs open a
16-point lead in the second quarter. James got ahead on a fast break and was
fouled by Pierce, who tried to wrap his arms around Cleveland's forward.
But James merely muscled up his shot, and after sinking it, he sneered and
shook his head several times as a reminder that he's tough to stop.
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