CLEVELAND, 15 May 2006 — LeBron James’ second triple-double of the NBA playoffs helped Cleveland beat the Detroit Pistons 86-77 on Saturday and have the Cavaliers trailing only 2-1 in their second-round series.
Also, the Dallas Mavericks withstood two last-gasp chances by the San Antonio Spurs to win 104-103 and take a 2-1 lead in their second-round series.
Getting his only rest at halftime, James finished with 21 points - 15 in the final quarter - 10 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals for the Cavaliers, who played with more confidence than in Games 1 and 2 and ensured they will play at least two more games this season.
Anderson Varejao, Cleveland’s mop-haired forward, added a career-high 16 points and Flip Murray, starting in place of Larry Hughes, had 13 for the Cavaliers, who were 11-of-15 from the floor and 9-of-9 from the line in the fourth.
Cleveland can even up the best-of-seven series at home in Game 4 on Monday.
Richard Hamilton scored 22 points, Chauncey Billups 20 and Ben Wallace had 13 rebounds for the Pistons, who shot only 39 percent from the floor.
In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 of his 27 points from the foul line, including a go-ahead pair with 7.9 seconds left for the Mavericks.
After losing Game 2 by 22 points, the Spurs shook up their starting lineup and changed their defense. It didn’t help as they fell behind by 13 in the second quarter. Riding Tim Duncan, who scored a season-high 35 points but fouled out with 1:05 left, San Antonio took its first lead of the second half with 5:43 left.
Now the Spurs go into Game 4 today forced to do the one thing they haven’t done in the Duncan era — rally.
Since Duncan arrived, San Antonio has never won a series it trailed after three games.
Manu Ginobili, who came in fighting injuries, a creaky jumper and an admitted lack of confidence, scored 24 points off the bench, four shy of his total over the first two games. He made 10 of 11 free throws, but San Antonio missed 10 for the game.
Nowitzki made a season-low three field goals, but took only nine shots, his second-fewest all season. Devin Harris scored 24 points, going 7-of-14. He also had an airball on a 3-pointer with 1:46 left and the game tied. Backcourt partner Jason Terry had 19 points and all four of the duo’s assists.
