It was looking like a classic “LeBron takes over” game: After his Cavs fell behind by twelve midway through the fourth quarter against Utah, LeBron James hit three three-pointers and converted two and-ones to put Cleveland ahead. They held that lead even as Utah fouled repeatedly to keep it close, but a Zydrunas Ilgauskas miss at the line left the door open with 5.9 seconds left.Enter Sundiata Gaines.
For One Night, Sundiata Gaines Tops LeBron
Gaines, a D-League call-up who just today got his second ten-day contract from the Jazz, hit that shot to give Utah a 97-96 win and give insomniac NBA fans a thrill. Gaines’ story in general is great -- he’s bounced around before making the jump to the NBA, was accidentally shot as a four-year-old, and has a heart-warming video of his call-up on YouTube -- but his play was just as good tonight. LeBron may have gone for 36 points, nine boards, six assists, and five steals, but Gaines was perfect from the field, and scored his nine points in just nine minutes.
Oh, and his team won because of his buzzer-beater. Yatta, Yatta, Yatta, indeed.
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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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