May sweeps come early; Cavs advance
It’s sweeps week in the NBA. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers got in on the act.
The Cavaliers completed a playoff sweep for the first time in franchise history Monday night in Washington, beating the Washington Wizards 97-90 with yet another unconvincing performance, doing just enough to beat a depleted team that nearly emptied its bench in the first half.
LeBron James labored through an 8 for 22 shooting night, but he made 14 of 17 free throws to finish with 31 points for the Cavaliers. He also had 11 rebounds and seven assists, including back-to-back assists to Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the decisive final minute.
Ilgauskas finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds, and he and Larry Hughes (19 points) scored 18 of Cleveland’s final 20 points.
The Cavaliers became the third Eastern Conference team in three days to finish a first-round sweep. Detroit dismissed Orlando on Saturday, and Chicago ended defending champion Miami’s season on Sunday.
Spurs 96, Nuggets 89: At Denver, Robert Horry hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 30 seconds left to seal San Antonio’s victory over Denver that gave the Spurs a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.
The Spurs can close out the best-of-7 series at home on Wednesday night.
The Nuggets, who blew a 10-point second-half lead, had pulled to 90-89 on Steve Blake’s jumper which looked like a 3 but his toe was on the line. Tony Parker of the Spurs took the inbounds pass following a timeout, penetrated the lane and kicked out to Horry all alone in the right corner.
Marcus Camby rushed to put a hand up but Horry’s rainbow shot swished to give the Spurs a 93-89 lead.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points.
Rockets 96, Jazz 92: At Houston, Tracy McGrady had 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, and Houston beat Utah to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-7 series.
Yao Ming scored 21 points, sealing the victory with two free throws with 11 seconds left. Yao also grabbed 15 rebounds, the last one in the closing seconds after Deron Williams missed a desperation 3-pointer.
Back home after two lethargic losses in Utah, the Rockets rediscovered their shooting touch, going 35 for 75 from the field (47 percent) and 12 for 24 from 3-point range. They also outrebounded Utah 42-39.
Off the court
Tim Duncan made his 10th straight NBA All-Defensive first team Wednesday, and San Antonio teammate Bruce Bowen was the top vote-getter in being selected for the seventh time. Completing the team were: Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby and guards Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Raja Bell of the Phoenix Suns.