CLEVELAND — Where there’s a LeBron, there’s a way.
With just seven teammates in uniform, including two signed out of the National Basketball Development League earlier in the day, LeBron James did anything and everything Friday night to lead the Cavaliers to a 90-89 victory over the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.
James, who drove and got fouled, then hit the game-winning free throws with 7.8 seconds to go, finished with 33 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in 45 minutes.
“We didn’t come in here to feel sorry for ourselves,” James said. “As long as I’m on the court, we’ve got a chance to win.”
The Cavaliers (31-24) went with a starting lineup of Eric Snow and Damon Jones at guard, James and Devin Brown at forward and Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the middle.
Holdover Dwayne Jones came off the bench along with Kaniel Dickens and Billy Thomas, signed to 10-day contracts out of the NBDL simply so Cleveland could have the mandatory eight players in uniform.
The Wizards (25-29) weren’t exactly in tip-top shape, either, as Gilbert Arenas (knee surgery), Caron Butler (hip flexor strain) and Etan Thomas (heart surgery) were all out of action.
Washington, which has lost 10 of its last 11 games, had a chance to win at the buzzer, but DeShawn Stevenson missed a runner over the 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas that almost went in after hitting the top of the backboard.
“If that shot would have gone in off the top of the backboard, that would have been tough,” James said.
With newly acquired Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West unable to play until all 11 players involved in the Thursday trade pass physicals and Daniel Gibson (high ankle sprain), Anderson Varejao (sprained ankle) and Sasha Pavlovic (sprained midfoot) out with injuries, the Cavaliers got a big contribution from Damon Jones, who made 7-of-11 3-pointers en route to a season-high 27 points in 44 minutes.
“I told him in order for us to win he was going to have to score 20-25 points,” James said. “I knew he was going to get some open looks because Washington was going to double team me. He got 27, so I guess I was wrong.”
Devin Brown added 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in 43 minutes, while Billy Thomas managed to hit three 3-pointers in 11 attempts. All told, Cleveland was 12-of-32 from behind the arc.
“They just figured out a way to get the ‘W,’” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. “That was exciting and fun to watch.”
The Cavaliers were professional on the court, but even they seemed giddy over the recent trade acquisitions, who received a standing ovation from the crowd after a video introduction midway through the first period.
James also got some loud cheers after doing a prolonged, impromptu chair dance during a second-quarter timeout, while Snow, unable to do anything right in the first half, raised his hands in celebration after making two shots in a row in the third period.
Damon Jones, who made three 3-pointers and had 11 points in the third period, was totally in his element, as he was miked by ESPN during the game.
“My mindset was just to go out and be able to contribute,” he said. “We had eight guys — six regulars and two guys that came in and gave us a heavy boost from the D-League. What can I say?”
On the floor, there were some obstacles. The 6-foot-3 Snow had to defend 6-9 Antawn Jamison, 6-5 Devin Brown battled against 6-11 Andray Blatche and Billy Thomas and Dickens had to battle through some serious nerves.
In the end, though, James made it all work.
“I’ve said this a million times: LeBron James is the MVP (of the league),” Mike Brown said. “I don’t have a strong enough voice, I guess. He was spectacular.”
Contact Rick Noland at (330) 721-4061 or rickn@ohio.net.

Cavs 90, Wizards 89

WASHINGTON (89): Blatche 6-8 0-0 12, Jamison 6-17 4-7 16, Haywood 4-6 5-6 13, Daniels 3-7 0-2 6, Stevenson 5-13 4-4 18, McGuire 0-0 0-0 0, Mason 1-4 1-2 3, Songaila 6-11 7-8 19, Young 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 32-70 21-29 89.
CLEVELAND (90): James 11-20 9-14 33, Brown 5-11 0-0 10, Ilgauskas 4-10 0-1 8, Snow 1-6 1-2 3, Da.Jones 10-16 0-0 27, B.Thomas 3-11 0-0 9, Dw.Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Dickens 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-76 10-17 90.
Washington    24     18     23     24    —    89
Cleveland    23     20     24     23    —    90
3-Point Goals—Washington 4-13 (Stevenson 4-8, Jamison 0-1, Young 0-1, Daniels 0-1, Mason 0-2), Cleveland 12-32 (Da.Jones 7-11, B.Thomas 3-11, James 2-6, Brown 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Washington 44 (Jamison 9), Cleveland 51 (James 15). Assists—Washington 18 (Daniels 8), Cleveland 23 (James 8). Total Fouls—Washington 17, Cleveland 22. Technicals—Washington defensive three second. A—20,562 (20,562).
 

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