CAVS SEASON PIERCED LeBron scores 45, but it isn't enough to advance past Celtics
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, May 19, 2008
BOSTON: Memories and regrets ? it will be a long summer full of them for the Cavaliers.
Their series finale with the Boston Celtics on Sunday is sure to become a classic, one they'll tell stories about for years to come. It was the sort of game that will trigger the mind when the words ''Game 7'' are uttered, but it will always be tinged with melancholy.
The Cavs, and especially LeBron James, put forth a mighty effort, but all it got them was extra respect at the gallows as their season ended in a 97-92 loss. It will be the Celtics moving on to the Eastern Conference finals against the Detroit Pistons.
It was a game that the Cavs never led ? there was only a brief moment when they had a chance to take the lead. Yet the entire afternoon and evening at TD Banknorth Garden resembled a car chase in a big-budget movie, moving at high speed with an unsure ending.
P.J. Brown scores as LeBron, Pierce duel Cavs fail to make shots in final minutes
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Monday, May 19, 2008
BOSTON: The final buzzer sounded, and he turned and walked directly off the court.
A couple of teammates offered pats on the chest, but LeBron James just kept walking.
Right to the locker room, where, when it opened to the media, he sat with his head down, ankles soaking in ice, stomach wrapped in an ace bandage.
James had just scored 45 points and had done all he could ? short of making one more shot ? to help the Cavs win Game 7 against the Boston Celtics.
James scored four more than Paul Pierce, as the duo put on a duel to remember. But James' efforts were not good enough in a 97-92 loss that ended his and his team's season.
Danny Ainge, the Celtics' president/general manager who had traded the Celtics to this point, stood in front of James, his arms on both of his shoulders.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers lose Game 7 to Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Monday, May 19, 2008Branson Wright Plain Dealer Reporter
Boston -- The potential was there all series long, but after six games that set offenses back to the pre-shot-clock era, LeBron James and Paul Pierce finally saved the series with a memorable battle that reminded many of the great one-on-one battles of the past.
Unfortunately for James, the Cavaliers were on the losing end as the Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 97-92 victory in Game 7 on Sunday afternoon before a highly energetic crowd at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.
The Cavs never led.
Video review could give Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown a few nightmares
Monday, May 19, 2008
Boston- When Mike Brown looks at the video of his team's 97-92 loss at Boston in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cavs coach won't be happy. He'll see that his team not only was outrebounded, 39-29, for the game, but 12-4 in the fourth quarter. He'll see that Boston had an 8-0 advantage in second-chance points in the final 12 minutes, and it was 18-7 for the game. He'll see long rebounds that his team failed to run down, and he'll see defensive assignments that were missed, especially on Paul Pierce (41 points). Overall, he'll see that Boston - which entered Sunday averaging only 81.8 points and shooting 41.7 percent as a team - dictated the tempo. The Celtics' 97 points and 48.7 percent shooting percentage were their best in any game.
A Cavalier who did play defense
was Ben Wallace. Just ask Kevin Garnett, who could not get open. He had only 13 points (5-of-13 shooting) in 42 minutes. Yes, Boston was riding Pierce's hot shooting, but part of the reason was Garnett's struggles inside. Several times, coach Doc Rivers called plays to Garnett, and the players did get the ball to him inside - but Garnett could not score. He had been effective, averaging 21 points and shooting 57 percent in the first six games.
