On December 2nd, 2010, the Cleveland Cavaliers were beaten, humiliated and flat out embarrassed. This was their one night to finally have their revenge for their fallen savior, Lebron James. A man who was once thought to become the Moses that would lead the championship repressed city. Alas, Lebron took his talents to South Beach and had one of his best games of the season that night.
From then on, the Heat have become somewhat of the juggernaut that some people thought but still a disappointment for most at 51-22 before the game. In retrospect, the expectations were a little too high for a virtually new team to accomplish in just one season.
As for Cleveland, they have become a depressing D-League team brought up to the NBA. At one point, they went nearly 26 games without winning a game before beating Blake Griffin and the Clippers. In fact, they lost by more than fifty points on the road to the Lakers and Blazers. It was the worst of times heading into Lebron's second return to the franchise he once called home for nearly seven years.
Yet for one night, the Cavaliers did something that they could not do on that cold December night. They actually played with emotion and never let up despite the momentum see-sawing back and forth the entire game.
At one point, the Cavs had a 23 point lead on the heels of a 18-0 run, which seemed insurmountable. Suddenly, in a quick flash the Heat went on a 17-1 run along with a Lebron 70 ft. buzzer beater at the end of the third to pull the Heat within five at 75-70.
The 4th Quarter was an epic battle as the Cavs tried to hold on as the Heat swaggered around like a confident predator ready to pounce on its quivering prey. Mike Bibby who was hot for the majority of the game nailed another three to tie the game at 83. Bibby finished with 23 points on 7-11 shooting.
Alas, he was not enough to cover Chris Bosh's disappearance in this game as he was absolutely outplayed by JJ Hickson and Ryan Hollins. Bosh disappeared and was virtually nowhere to be seen in the frontcourt as evidenced by his 10 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists. He said he wanted the ball in the post but it seems like tonight, Hickson and Hollins were barking far more loudly than Bosh tonight.
Lebron and Wade put up their usual All Star numbers. Lebron put up eye popping stats with 27 points 12 rebounds and 10 assists, while Wade had 24 points. Yet, it seemed like it was just those two and Bibby trying to fend off a pack that had them cornered from all possible angles.
Cleveland made timely shot after shot while Miami settled for long jumpers that had no prayer going in. Most notably the big three point shot by Anthony Parker coming off ball penetration to put up a precarious nine point lead to twelve. From then on, the Cavs just poured it on as they outscored the Heat 19-7 in the last 7:01 to get the 12 point victory. Culminating with a Baron Davis three pointer to push the Cavs to a 98-85 lead and a JJ Hickson dunk to top off the victory. The home crowd was also into it just like on that fateful December 2nd night. Throughout the game, they were bringing the energy and fanatical passion that was vital for the Cavs to bring it home on this night.
Since the Infamous ESPN special, these fans have been starving for a moment like this in an otherwise disastrous NBA season. The Cavaliers won with a total team effort that Coach Byron Scott has been preaching all season long. As for Miami, it was an off night and confirmation of a recurring theme where it's just Lebron, Wade, at times Bosh and role players who could catch fire or disappear.
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