Kelly Wright/The LanternCleveland Cavaliers superstar Lebron James drives to the basket during Friday’s preseason game against the Washington Wizards. Cleveland won the game 107-80 which was held at the Schottenstein Center.In what was their last preseason game, the Cleveland Cavaliers proved that they are ready for the regular season with a convincing 107-80 win over the Washington Wizards.
After putting up their highest-scoring total of the preseason and only committing nine turnovers, far under its preseason average of 17, the Cavs (3-5 preseason) looked like they were hitting their stride at just the right time.
In only 29 minutes of work, James showed he was already in mid-season form, scoring 26 to go with six assists and five rebounds. Showing no signs of fatigue from the busy summer of Olympic basketball, James said he is ready for the upcoming season.
“I am ready,” James said. “I told you it didn’t matter how many minutes I was going to play during the preseason. I’m prepared to go out there if it’s a regular season game and play high minutes.”
It’s no secret that James is a Buckeye fan, so getting the opportunity to play at the Schottenstein Center was something special for him.
“It means a lot [to play in Columbus],” James said. “I’m in love with Ohio State, everything that goes on with the campus, the sporting events, everything, and to be bring my team here professionally was fun.”
James openly showed his support for the Buckeyes during the game by donning an Ohio State shirt under his warm-up every time he came off.
The rest of the Cavs were no let-down either. James’ new teammate Mo Williams showed he was ready to play with his new team, scoring 15 points and adding six rebounds and an assist. Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas put up 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, one of which sent the ball into the stands and had the crowd of just over 10 thousand on its feet.
After a competitive first quarter ending in a tie, the Cavs took control in the second and never looked back. With five minutes left in the first half, the Cavs started on a 22-2 run sparked by a reverse lay-up from James to close out the half leading 57-39.
Cavs starting guard Delonte West left the game with an ankle injury with 1:40 left in the second quarter, but coach Mike Brown said the injury was minor.
“He probably could have [gone back in], but there’s no reason to put him back in there to see if he could go,” Brown said. “We felt it was a good opportunity to get some other guys involved.”
The Cavs won the last two quarters and amassed a lead that put its starters on the bench for the fourth quarter.
The Wizards, playing without their star Gilbert Arenas (out with a left knee injury), failed to amount any sort of attack after the first quarter.
Overall, Brown was happy with the way his team played and the way they stuck to the goals they set out before the game.
“I asked the guys if they could keep it below 13 turnovers and our guys did a heck of a job keeping it below,” Brown said. “We ended up with nine turnovers, so that was a positive.”
Brown also stressed the importance of limiting their opponent’s fast break points and winning the third quarter, two things the team excelled in on Friday, winning the third quarter 27-20 and allowing only 13 fast break points.
The Cavs will open up the regular season tomorrow with an away game in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. The home opener for the Cavs is on Oct. 30 against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Kyle Fischer can be reached at [email protected].
