Cavs Muscle Nets in the Q
Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Since being traded to Cleveland on Draft Day, Shaquille O’Neal has continuously stated that “together [Shaq] and Z are the best center in the league.” And it certainly seemed that way on Tuesday night. Shaq and Zydrunas Ilgauskas combined for 32 points and 10 rebounds and controlled the paint throughout the second half.
New Jersey was within two midway through the third quarter before the King took over. James scored 10 of the Cavs’ last 12 points to end the period and put his team up by eight.
Late in the fourth quarter, Jamario Moon went soaring to the basket and was yanked down by New Jersey’s Devin Harris. Harris was slapped with a flagrant-2 foul and ejected from the contest but not before causing a brief skirmish. While some of his teammates, including Shaquille O’Neal, began pushing their way toward the New Jersey guard, LeBron attempted to play peacemaker. No punches were thrown and Harris was the only one that got the boot.
Four Cavaliers poured in double-figures while nine broke into the scoring column. LeBron put up a game-high 23 points to go along with 7 assists and 6 rebounds and Mo Williams contributed 13 points and a team-high 8 rebounds. Daniel Gibson returned to the floor tonight and knocked down 2 of 5 attempts in an 8 point performance and Jamario Moon added 8 points and 8 boards to help Cleveland pick up their eighteenth win of the season, 99-89.
The Wine and Gold will hit the road again tomorrow night and take on Allen Iverson and the 76ers.
