LeBron lifts Cavs past Wizards in playoff rematch

Nov 2, 2006, 4:10 GMT

Cleveland, OH - LeBron James hit the go-ahead layup with 49.3 seconds left and finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds to power Cleveland to a 97-94 win over Washington in the season opener for both teams.

It was a rematch from the first-round of this past year's playoffs when the Cavaliers beat the Wizards in six games, with three Cleveland victories coming by a point.

Wednesday's game was nearly as close with James sinking the go-ahead bucket just as he did in Games 3 and 5 in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

'We feel fortunate to get this win,' Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown said. 'They found a way.'

Larry Hughes tallied 27 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who beat the Wizards for just the fifth time in the last 18 regular season matchups.

Drew Gooden ended with 14 points and 11 rebounds for Cleveland, which made just 15-of-30 free throws.

Gilbert Arenas, who scored in double figures in all but one game last season, was limited to seven points and 11 assists for the Wizards, shooting 2-of-12. It was his first game below double digits since January 11, 2006 versus the Hawks.

'Nobody wants to come out on opening day like that, but we did some good things out there,' Arenas said. 'Guys hit shots and I delivered the ball, but it's hard to be aggressive when every time you think about driving, you get an offensive called on you or something. At the end of the day, we need to put our body on the line and take charge out there.'

Caron Butler scored 23 points and Antawn Jamison added 20 for Washington, which was outrebounded, 50-33.

After James cut through the defense for his layup, Jamison made one free throw with 36.6 seconds left for a 95-94 Washington deficit.

James then threw the ball away, trying to get it to Anderson Varejao, but Jamison saved the ball back into Varejao, who was fouled. Varejao made one foul shot with 18.2 seconds left.

Jarvis Hayes missed a three-pointer for the Wizards, and Varejao added another foul shot with 6.1 seconds left for a three-point Cavs lead.

Jamison's three-pointer was off the mark in the final seconds.

Etan Thomas had 14 points and Hayes scored 12 for the Wizards.

Washington scored nine straight points to grab a 24-21 lead late in the opening quarter. Stevenson's reverse layup capped the burst and the Wizards held a 28-26 advantage after 12 minutes.

The Cavaliers used an 8-0 spurt in the second for a 37-33 edge with Hughes scoring the final seven in the run. It was tight throughout the remainder of the period with Cleveland holding a 47-45 lead at the half.

Cleveland led by as many as 11 in the third, the last time at 74-63 on a Hughes jumper, but the Wizards closed within 75-69 going into the fourth.

The Cavs established another double-digit lead early in the fourth, but Washington eventually tied the game at 86 on two free throws by Antonio Daniels with 3:56 remaining.

Game Notes

Earlier Wednesday, the Cavs named Chris Jent has director of player Development and assistant coach.

Washington's next game will be home versus Boston Saturday, while the Cavaliers play at San Antonio Friday.

Washington is 20-26 all-time on opening night, and had a three-game such winning streak broken.

The Cavaliers began the 2006-07 season the same way they started last season, with Eric Snow, Hughes, James, Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the starting lineup. It marked the third time in team history (1975-77 and 1977-79) that Cleveland began consecutive seasons with the same starting lineup.

© 2006 The Sports Network