NBA roundup: Chicago survives LeBron's last-gasp shot
CLEVELAND — Luol Deng scored 15 points and helped stop LeBron James on a drive in the final seconds as the Chicago Bulls ended Cleveland's three-game winning streak with an 86-85 win.
Derrick Rose had 14 points and 11 assists and John Salmons added 14 points for the Bulls, who handed the Cavs their second loss at home. Cleveland, which lost to Boston in its opener, only lost two regular-season games and went 45-3 at Quicken Loans Arena last season.
James, who led the Cavaliers with 25 points, lost the ball out of bounds with 3.2 seconds to go after powering his way to the hoop. He drew contact on the play from both Deng and Joakim Noah as the ball slipped from his hands but the officials didn't feel he was fouled.
James spent a few extra moments on the floor after the game pleading his case.
Down 86-85, the Cavaliers, who sputtered on offense all night, buckled down and made the defensive stop they needed by forcing a 24-second shot clock violation. Cleveland called a full timeout and set up a play. But before they could inbound the ball, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro called a 20-second T.O. to reset his defense.
James took the pass and got a step on Deng in the lane. As he neared the basket, Noah came over to help and bumped Cleveland's superstar. The ball went out of bounds with two-tenths of a second left, but before the referees gave the ball to Chicago, they watched another replay of their call.
As they huddled at the scorer's table, James came over to give his opinion.
"I got hammered," he said. "He (Noah) jumped towards me."
After the horn, James made one last visit to officials Ron Garretson, Michael Smith and Eli Roe. There was nothing he could do at that point but shrug his shoulders and head to the locker room.
Shaquille O'Neal had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Anderson Varejao added 12 with 13 rebounds for the Cavs, who were just 6 of 19 from the field in the fourth and finished 12 of 20 on free throws. One of Chicago's defensive goals was to send the Cavs to the line, where they came in shooting just 70 percent.
Brad Miller scored 10 points and Chicago's reserves outscored Cleveland's 25-12 in a choppy game between the Central Division rivals.
James went down twice in the first half with apparent injuries while running off the floor.
Comments
- Utah unemployment rate improves 10:57 a.m.
- Pet-focused reading program 10:40 a.m.
- Susan Powell's family to speak out 10:39 a.m.
- Part of Cleopatra's palace found 10:37 a.m.
- Hugh Grant returns to films 10:36 a.m.
- Winfrey donates $1.5M to school 10:34 a.m.
- King Sister Yvonne Burch dies at 89 10:33 a.m.
- ABC to interview ex-Edwards aide 10:31 a.m.
- Metallica singer gives 330 acres 10:31 a.m.
- American Girl retires another doll 10:29 a.m.
- Susan Powell notebook seized
- Conan mocks Orrin Hatch, Mormons
- Will Chambers keep his promise?
- David Archuleta's different mission
- Here are Max Hall's Top 10 wins
- Frances Monson recovering well
- Genetic testing, ethical dilemmas
- Watching over the Sacred Grove
- Jazz open road trip with victory
- Scuba diving in Utah
- Conan mocks Orrin Hatch, Mormons
129 - Letters: 'Liberal conceit'
124 - Jazz stunned by Timberwolves
114 - Stay the course with our president
113 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
112 - Josh Powell meets with WVC police
109 - Letters: Explaining Palin
101 - Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
100 - Susan Powell notebook seized
99 - Tethering of pets could spur charges
97
Cal junior tailback Jahvid Best will not play in the San Diego County...
Darby Golden is a player many Aggie fans might have forgotten about...
Unfortunately, those of us serious genealogists who are no longer Mormon...
Hey "stop already", lying about where he was may not prove guilt but it...
He apologized (something the U's Alex Smith did not do for his even less...
Liberals will also deem certain people as "deserving." Why? Because not...
Sloan is supposed to manage the play and the players. He did neither. Yeah...
yewwtiess stink... I have to get back to work Go all blue teams in the...
Can't we all just get along!!!
'I think I'm beginning to understand. Bell's attackers weren't charged with...
There are two possibilities here: Democrats are insane, or you've...
I went to a public school, in Texas, that had very similar rules regarding...



You can be the first to comment on this story.