CLEVELAND -- Those who have played alongside LeBron James long enough know that an exciting play or career milestone is seemingly just around the corner.
And that was the case in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ last-second 98-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, as James hit a pull-up three-pointer before the final buzzer sounded to deliver the team to a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“Every time he steps on the floor, you’ve got to expect something amazing to happen,” shooting guard JR Smith said.
With 3.3 seconds remaining in regulation, James blocked a shot and Smith corralled the rebound before signaling for a timeout, which advanced the ball into the front court.
Power forward Jeff Green triggered the inbounds pass, and after catching the ball, James dribbled twice with his left hand and pulled up for the shot over Indiana forward Thaddeus Young at the top of the key. James got the shot off in enough time and sunk the game-winning triple.
“For whatever reason, he just likes to getting to that step-back,” Smith said. “From watching so many games, how many people have been using it, it’s been extremely effective, and for him to put that into his game in Year 15 and feel confident making that in the playoffs and stuff, that says a lot.”
Point guard Jose Calderon added, “I think it was a great way to finish a great game by him all around. I don’t know, 40 and 10, whatever. He came to play tonight. He helped us in a tough moment, so I’m really happy for him, too.”
LeBron James knocks down the Tissot Buzzer-Beater to propel the @cavs to victory in Game 5! #ThisIsYourTime#WhateverItTakes #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Dx7fq4Uh4K
James’ game-winning three-pointer was one of many last-second shots in his career, and some of those were memorable postseason moments.
James hit a game-winner in almost the exact same spot against the Orlando Magic in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, and then, in 2015, there was a Game 4 winner against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
“Pretty unbelievable,” power forward Larry Nance Jr. said. “I’ve had to watch it from afar and keep my celebrations to a minimum, but being able to be a part of this team and be able to celebrate it with these guys and the guy that made the shot is pretty cool.
“It was definitely something I had seen before, something I think the whole world has seen before, and so, that’s why when he let it go, it was like, ‘Yep, that one’s in.’”
To power forward Kevin Love, Wednesday’s game winner was further proof that there is no debate of James’ place in the game.
“Just how we drew it up, we wanted to free up ‘Bron as much as we could,” Love said. “He had to make a read to go low or high, caught the ball and going to his left and rising without a pump fake, he was in a good rhythm, hit an amazing shot and it was unbelievable. It was great to be a part of that.
“He does it on both ends every, single night, and that’s why he’s the best player in the world.”
