No Lebron, No Shaq, No Problem!
Despite Lebron James sitting on the bench for his second straight game (due to a sprained left ankle) and Shaquille O’Neal recovering from surgery on his right thumb, the Cleveland Cavaliers still found a way to beat the Spurs 97-95, in a Quicken Loans Arena nail bitter.
The Cavs took on their former 2007 nemesis (who swept them in the Franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance), and fought hard for the victory without the help of two of their starters.
Many Cavs fans brought tickets in advance, and traveled from out of town, to receive their Hardwood Classic (Brad Daugherty Era) T-Shirt –which staff handed out at the entrances, and to see Cleveland’s dynamic Lebron and Shaq duo perform on the court.
Although they were happy for the win, many were somewhat disappointed because neither Superstar played in the match.
Both Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams led the Cavs in scoring with 17 points each. Delonte West had 16 points, Jawad Williams added 13, JJ Hickson had 12, and Andy Varejao scored 11. Following a three-game absence, due to the birth of his son, proud new dad Daniel Gibson returned to the team and added 3 points.
The entire arena held its collective breath, when Cavs Guard Anthony Parker left the game with a dislocated finger (but later returned to action), and newly acquired All Star forward Antawn Jamison left the game in the third quarter, with stiffness in his left knee.
Although Spurs Superstar Tony Parker was out with a broken hand, Guard Manu Ginobili took up the slack and scored 38 points–but it wasn’t quite enough. The injury plagued Cavaliers became the first team in the NBA, this season, to win its 50th game.
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* – Antawn Jamison photo credit: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack via Examiner.com
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