LeBron James went into superhero mode in the final 30 seconds to save a Cavs team on the brink of disaster
AP Photo/Tony Dejak
- LeBron James was a one-man wrecking crew on Wednesday night, making three key plays in the final seconds of the Cavaliers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- After making the game-tying layup, James made a brilliant block on Jimmy Butler's would-be game-winning shot, and then hit a buzzer beating jumper to send the Cleveland crowd home happy.
- Cleveland has three games remaining before the All-Star break, giving the team a chance to reset before their postseason push.
LeBron James took over the final seconds of the Cavaliers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night with a dazzling sequence.
With the game already in overtime and just under 30 seconds remaining, James found his way around Karl-Anthony Towns to drain a layup to tie the game. On the other end of the court, the Timberwolves held for what they thought would be the last shot of the game. Jimmy Butler edged his way to the basket, only to be denied by a monstrous block from James who came over from the other side on help defense.
The Cavaliers had the ball with exactly one second remaining, inbounding from their own side of the court. In most cases, this situation would lead to a poor attempt and double-overtime.
But not on Wednesday night.
James was able to find space at the top of the key, catch a long inbound pass from Jeff Green, turn, shoot, and drill the buzzer beater. The Quicken Loans Arena burst with cheer.
It was as exhilarating a finish as you could have in a regular season game. With the win, the Cavaliers will try to turn around their recent skid - they had lost 13 of 19 games heading into Wednesday night, and tensions within the team had been rising.
After the game, when asked about the shot, LeBron replied simply, "I'm 33 years old - I did not want to do another overtime."
Currently third in the East, Cleveland still has a lot of improving to do if they want to make it back to the Finals, but Wednesday night served as a good reminder that if a game comes down to one shot, the Cavaliers will always have the advantage.
BLOCKED BY JAMES pic.twitter.com/WBWqFOgXE8
- Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 8, 2018
What a game.
- ESPN (@espn) February 8, 2018
What a shot.
Legendary finish. pic.twitter.com/76BJKZbFSq
'I'm 33 years old and I don't want to do another overtime' - LeBron on his mindset before hitting the game-winner vs. the T-Wolves
- Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 8, 2018
(via @SpinDavies) pic.twitter.com/lYL9KFefIP
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