In an intense and physical playoff-type affair, LeBron James and James Harden put on an offensive clinic for the ages, but it was the Houston Rockets who beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime 105-103 at Toyota Center Sunday afternoon.
After sitting out Friday’s loss to Indiana for rest purposes, James returned with a vengeance and went for 37 points, eight rebounds and four assists. However, with the Cavaliers down one with five seconds remaining, James had an opportunity to put his team up but missed two free throws, sealing the game for Houston.
James was 3-of-11 from the line and 15-of-35 from the field. Much of his time in the second half was the familiar 1-4 set with James initiating every play — to varying degrees of success.
Rockets coach Kevin McHale said the plan was to make James work for his shots.
“It’s a tough duty,” McHale said. “I always say with those guys, you’re not holding them scoreless. You just have to hope that you can make him take a lot of shots and make him be as inefficient as you possibly can to get his numbers.”
Harden registered 33 points (on just 18 shot attempts, he was 15-of-18 from the free-throw line), eight rebounds and five assists for Houston (41-18). Their duel will go down as an instant classic.
The atmosphere had the feel of the postseason. Players were hacking and pushing one another and for the most part, the referees swallowed their whistles. The non-calls led to a feisty third quarter.
Two minutes in, James and Patrick Beverley received double technicals after James collided with Beverley in the paint. A tussle between the two ensued on the floor before the refs intervened to separate them.
Moments later Trevor Ariza tried to get in the face of Cavs center Timofey Mozgov after he felt Mozgov was too aggressive with one of his teammates after the play was over. Ariza was hit with a technical for instigating the confrontation.
Soon after, Harden and James were wrestling for the ball and Harden kicked James where the sun doesn’t shine. James was infuriated and had to be held back by teammates. After reviewing the play, Harden was hit with a Flagrant 1 foul.
Cleveland’s Kevin Love scored 21 points and pulled down six rebounds — but didn’t score (only three shots) in the fourth quarter and overtime. Tristan Thompson was huge off the bench, providing 14 points and a season-high 19 rebounds in 37 minutes.
James had a chance to win the game in regulation, but missed a fadeaway 3-pointer at the buzzer over the outstretched arms of Ariza.
Cleveland (37-24) was 0-2 on this road trip.
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