Biggest Game in Franchise History

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Pistons last night in double overtime, 109-107, behind an unbelievable performance by LeBron James.  This victory sets up the biggest game in the franchise’s history at home on Saturday night.  Never before have the Cavs been one win away from the NBA Finals.  In their two previous trips to the conference finals, the team lost in six games.  So, they have never played a game with a chance to clinch a berth in The Finals.

 

Does anyone still think LeBron James isn’t one of the best players in the world?  After last night’s stupendous performance, there shouldn’t be.  The King took over the game midway through the fourth quarter, scoring the wine and gold’s last 25 points and 29 of the last 30 tallies.  He hit big shot after big shot in the greatest performance by a Cleveland athlete in recent memory.  LeBron had an answer for every Piston big shot.  The biggest up to the game winner, may have been his three pointer following Chris Webber’s traditional three point play in the second overtime. 

 

Still, Game 6 is going to be the most difficult game to win for the Cavaliers.  These Pistons have won a championship and have the heart associated with a title winner.  They are not going to roll over for Cleveland tomorrow night.  They will fight and claw and stratch to avoid elimination.  We know LeBron James will be up to the challenge, hopefully the rest of the team, spurred on by a raucous crowd will be ready as well.

 

Despite the lack of scoring by anyone not named LeBron down the stretch, other Cavs contributed to the victory.  Eric Snow provided great defense on Chauncey Billups in the fourth quarter and overtimes.  Anderson Varajao forced a key miss by Rasheed Wallace in the second OT, and may have gotten a piece on Billups’ final attempt of the game.  Daniel Gibson continued to play well, and Mike Brown did a great job for the most part subbing offense for defense and vice-versa. 

 

Tomorrow night will be a happening at the Q.  The Cleveland Cavaliers might advance to the NBA Finals for the first time.  20,000 fans will be there.  There will also be many former Cavs in attendance in spirit.  Guys like Austin Carr (who will be there in person), Bingo Smith, Jim Chones, Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, and World B. Free who could never take this franchise to this level, will be watching to see if the King and his Court can seal the deal.  However, it will not be easy and we should expect the Pistons best shot tomorrow night.

 

JK