News / Sports
NBA Scores: Cavaliers Overcome Miserable Third Quarter to Beat Nets, Take Series
LeBron James scored 23 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and handed out 8 assists and Drew Gooden added 16 points and 7 boards as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame an eight point third quarter to beat the New Jersey Nets to win their series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland led 53-38 heading into the third quarter but the Nets staged a 16-2 run over the final 7:20 of the period to pull to within one 61-60. The Nets stayed close in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter and trailed 64-63 but a three-pointer from Daniel Gibson and a triple from Donyell Marshall pushed the Cavs lead to seven and New Jersey never recovered.
Marshall hit another three-pointer to increase the lead to nine after Jason Kidd hit one of two from the free-throw line and Gibson followed a LeBron jumper with another three-pointer to bump the lead to 13 with 3:38 remaining. LeBron then got in on the triple action with a long jumper and the advantage was up to16 and there was nothing New Jersey could do.
Jason Kidd led the Nets with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.
Cleveland will now face the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.
