Based on past experience, it would seem the Cavaliers would have a better chance hoping for help from the wings of angels as the wings of Mo Williams.
It is said that players raise their games in the playoffs. Williams raised his vertical. Shaquille O’Neal lowered his 40 time. LeBron James increased his pain management.
To say the Cavs played unconventionally in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals is an understatement, as those three aforementioned facts suggest. The details were just as stunning but all that really mattered was the Cavs used a huge second half to strike the first blow and beat the Boston Celtics, 101-93, to take a 1-0 series lead behind 35 points from James.
It looked to be headed the other direction for most of the night as the Cavs were knocked out of sync by the confident and aggressive veteran Celtics. Boston led by 11 points at the half and were firmly in control halfway through the third quarter.
Then Williams made his move. Make that, his jump.
After plucking off a steal, Williams raced down the floor on a 2-on-1 break with James. Celtics forward Paul Pierce defended the situation perfectly and stuck close to James to make Williams go to the basket and finish himself. At the last second, as soon as Williams jumped, Pierce closed in looking for the block.
Then … boom. Literally, there was a boom in the arena as the microphone attached to the rim rattled as Williams jumped past Pierce and slammed the ball home.
“It was a big play,” Williams said. “If you saw me do it all the time, it would just be a normal play.”
It wasn’t normal, that is for sure. The records are incomplete, but it may have been the first dunk of Williams’ career. Without a doubt, it was the first dunk of Williams’ tenure in Cleveland and it injected the Cavs and the crowd at The Q with some needed confidence.
“My intention was to shoot a floater or a layup,” Williams said. “I realized I was a little high so I thought I might try it. It turned out pretty good.”
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Article courtesy cleveland.com
