Game 4 Afterthoughts

Wow. It's been about 12 hours and I'm still amazed at LeBron's dunk at the end of the 4th quarter that sealed the win for the Cavaliers. Sometimes he just does things that make you shake your head. For those of you that didn't see it, here it is:



As Brian Windhorst wrote after the game, that one could be remembered as the play that changed the series. Of course the Cavs still need to go into Boston and find a way to win there. But after evening the series 2-2 in resounding fashion last night, today that task doesn't seem like such a tall order. The Cavaliers' team defense has been incredible over the last two games. They have held the Celtics under 80 points two games in a row (something Boston had only done twice in 82 games in the regular season).

And just when I had written off Anderson Varejao for the season, he comes through with a throwback performance. This was the Andy we knew from the last two years - the indispensable hustle player that provided great defense and timely baskets. His defense on Kevin Garnett in the second half was incredible. He made KG fight for position down low and I think he finally figured out that Garnett goes baseline about 95% of the time (something I've been screaming at my TV for four games now).

Also chipping in nice performances were Boobie Gibson, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West, whose ballhandling this series has really helped take a load off LeBron's broad shoulders. LBJ still is having problems with his outside shot, but his 3-pointer late in the fourth, along with one by Gibson were timely daggers as well. Just a great win tonight and an outstanding crowd at the Q. Now we are guaranteed at least one more home game on Friday night. I will be there in my season tickets (finally!) and I'm hoping that one is the series clincher.

(One final side note about LeBron's dunk - How does Garnett not get a foul called on him there??? He blatantly shoved LeBron with two hands. Maybe the refs were too baffled by the dunk, but Garnett gets away with a lot of this kind of crap. I used to like him as a player. Now I really can't stand him. And him yelling "fucking faggots" to the crowd tonight was really classy.)

Let's call this one "The Series Changer"