Cavs @ Hornets

The Cavaliers showed up in New Orleans to play basketball Friday night. That's more than you could say in the loss to Chicago earlier in the week. The Cavs showed up in Chicago, but that's all they did. Last night was a different night and a different story.

Going into the Big Easy was no easy task. But the Cavaliers gutted out a 'playoff type' performance in their 88-85 win over the Hornets. LeBron James hit the biggest clutch shot of his very young pro career, so far. Carlos Boozer and Tony Battie came up big down the stretch.

With the Cavs trailing by two points with just over a minute remaining, Jeff McInnis hit James wide open in the corner for a three to put Cleveland up by one and they wouldn't relinquish the lead. The victory pulled the Cavs into a tie for the 8th playoff spot. James finished with a team-high 19 points, while grabbing six rebounds.

Jamal Mashburn had a chance to send the game into overtime, but Eric Williams contested his shot and it landed off the mark. Williams posted 15 pts. and 11 boards to go along with his steady defense. Boozer came up with 18 pts. and 8 rebounds, while McInnis had another solid effort with 9 points, 11 assists, and just one turnover. Battie, off the bench, netted 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 key blocks.

Cleveland came out of the gates roaring, but Baron Davis and the Hornets had a steady comeback and netted a 23-21 lead after one quarter, and held a 46-39 lead at halftime.

The Cavs, known for coming out of the half poorly at times, busted out and took control of the game late in the third. After a Battie putback, the Cavs led 68-62 heading to the last period of play. Cleveland led for most of the quarter until Mashburn led a small run by the Hornets to take a two point lead. That's when James came up clutch for the Cavs.

With the win the Cavs win the season series 3-1. Zydrunas Ilgauskas struggled, scoring just six points and having five turnovers. He did grab 7 seven rebounds and swat 4 shots.

Davis had a game-high 26 points and fellow teammate Mashburn added 21 while adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Jamaal Magloire put up 13 points and grabbed 9 rebounds before fouling out with about four minutes to play. P.J. Brown helped out with 12 rebounds of his own.

The Cavs play Milwaukee Saturday night with a chance to move up the playoff standings.

CavsTalk