Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) drives past Washington Wizards' Calvin Booth (52), Antawn Jamison and Andray Blatche (both obscured by James) on route to a lay-up in Game Four of their Eastern Conference play-off game on Monday night. The Cavaliers won 97-90 to sweep the best-of-seven series 4-0. - ReutersWASHINGTON (AP):
DOWN BY three points with 5 1/2 minutes left in Game Four, the Cleveland Cavaliers needed someone to put the Washington Wizards away.
Time to turn to LeBron James, right? Not exactly.
Actually, Larry Hughes and Zadrunas Ilgauskas combined for Cleveland's next 18 points, and James didn't have a basket the rest of the way on Monday night, when the Cavaliers beat the Wizards 97-90 to complete the franchise's first play-off sweep.
If the Wizards were known for having the 'Big Three' - until, that is, Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler went down with April injuries - it's the Cavaliers who have developed a talented trio that dominated the first-round series.
"We can't win if these guys don't play well, Z and Larry. Simple as that," said James, who finished with 31 points despite shooting 8-for-22 from the field. "I need them every game to be a factor. Us three, if we don't play well, we're not going to have a chance to win."
Win they did, if only barely, in all four games against a depleted Washington squad that led the Eastern Conference halfway through the season but never really had a chance once its two All-Stars went down.
"Gil's a strong personality. Caron's a strong personality. They're tough," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "They bring more to the table than just numbers, and their numbers were huge."
In other play-off games on Monday night, Houston beat Utah 96-92 and San Antonio defeated Denver 96-89.
Last season, the Cavaliers relied on James to carry them past the Wizards in a tight first-round series that featured three games decided by one point.
The Cavaliers will take on the New Jersey Nets or the Toronto Raptors - who are playing the East's only first-round series that wasn't a sweep. Cleveland joined Chicago - who knocked off defending champions Miami - and Detroit - who eliminated Orlando - as teams that beat Southeast Division foes 4-0.
Rockets 96, Jazz 92
Tracy McGrady had 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, and Yao Ming had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who took a 3-2 lead with their third home win. Yao sealed the victory with two free throws and 11 seconds left.
Back home after two lethargic losses in Utah, the Rockets rediscovered their shooting touch, going 35-for-75 from the field and 12-for-24 from 3-point range. They also outrebounded Utah 42-39.
The Rockets can clinch their first postseason series victory since 1997 in Game Six at Utah tomorrow night.
Carlos Boozer of Utah scored 26 points but had only eight rebounds, denied a double-double for the first time in the series.
Spurs 96, Nuggets 89
Robert Horry, known for hitting big shots at the end of play-off games, nailed a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to seal the win that gave visiting San Antonio a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.
The Spurs can close out the best-of-seven series at home tonight.
The Nuggets, who led by 10 points in the second half, pulled to 90-89 on Steve Blake's jumper which looked like a three but his toe was on the line. Following a timeout, Tony Parker took the inbounds pass, penetrated the lane and kicked out to Horry in the right corner - his second basket of the night.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points, while Manu Ginobili added 18.
Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 29 points, and Allen Iverson had 22 on 9-for-25 shooting.
