The Wait is Over!!

VICTORY!!!

The wait is finally over in Cleveland. For the first time since December 18th, the Cleveland Cavaliers emerged victorious knocking off Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime 126-119 on Friday night. It sure didn't come easy though. Cleveland led 104-98 with 3:27 left in regulation before they watched the Clippers go on 12-4 run, actually taking a 110-108 lead with under 20 seconds to play. But Mo Williams, in his first game back after missing 13 straight, drilled an 18 footer with 6 seconds to go in regulation to tie the game up. Baron Davis had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but J.J. Hickson blocked the shot and despite pleas from the Clippers for a goaltending call, the game went into overtime.

In the words of my Cavalier-fan friend JP: After JJ blocked that Baron Davis shot I I knew we were gonna win it in OT.

Good call, JP. Cleveland outscored L.A. 16-9 in the extra session getting 15 of their 16 points from Daniel Gibson and Antawn Jamison. Jamison finished with 35 points, the 3 biggest ones coming a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left in the overtime period to put the Cavs up by 4. J.J. Hickson finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds, Daniel Gibson had 17 points including 9 in overtime, and Mo Williams added 17 and 14 assists in what was a complete team effort. Williams' 14 assists tied a season high set ironically in Cleveland's last win back in December against the Knicks.

So after 26 straight losses, the Cavaliers were finally back in the win column. Unfortunately the momentum didn't carry over into the weekend as the Wizards got their first road win of the season Sunday with a 115-100 win over the Cavs spoiling Mo Williams' return to the starting lineup. Washington got 31 points from Nick Young and 19 points and 14 assists from John Wall to snap a 25 game skid away from the MCI Center. The Wizards led 68-46 at the intermission and were able to coast the rest of the way. Cleveland takes on the Lakers tomorrow night in their last chance to get to double digit wins before the all star break.