Two nights after losing to a buzzer-beater, the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrated one of their own. LeBron James hit the game-winner from the corner as time expired to give Cleveland an 86-84 win and tie the series, 2-2, in Game 4 against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night.
NBA playoff scores 2015: Cavaliers win on LeBron James buzzer-beater, Clippers beat up Rockets
LeBron hit the NBA’s third buzzer-beater in three days and the Clippers put the Rockets against the ropes with a blowout win Sunday.
In Game 3, the two teams battled to the final second before Derrick Rose hit a stunning three-pointer off the backboard. On Sunday, a similar situation played out before James found himself hitting a fadeaway jumper near the baseline over an airborne Jimmy Butler. The NBA's third buzzer-beater in as many days was as satisfying as the first.
The Cavaliers should have had an easier win in Game 4, but nearly threw it away after James committed a crucial turnover with his team up two and less than 20 seconds remaining. Rose was able to easily get to the basket for a layup to the tie the game, 84-84, with little time left. Then David Blatt tried to call a timeout when his team didn’t have one.
The referees didn’t see Blatt’s near-gaffe, however, and that set up James’ chance right before the buzzer. Instead of letting a crucial game slip through his fingers, LeBron stepped up at the final moment to even things up.
It wasn't the best game for James. He finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, but shot just 10-of-30 from the floor, committed eight turnovers and briefly left the game after tweaking his ankle. The star forward didn't shy away from the final moment, though, and said after the game that he ignored Blatt's final play call in order to take matters into his own hands. That's what a leader does when he believes he needs to take over. On a night when Kyrie Irving (12 points, 2-of-10 shooting) and Iman Shumpert (five points, 1-of-8 shooting) were ice cold, that's what LeBron did.
Now the Cavaliers are right back in the series instead of a 3-1 hole, thanks to the brilliance of James in a game where neither team played well. The Bulls will view this as a missed opportunity after shooting just 36 percent from the field with 12 free throw attempts. Pau Gasol's absence was noticeable.
Gasol’s status is unclear for the remainder of the series. No matter what, it’s apparent these two teams are evenly matched. If the final three games are anything like the last two, I don’t think anyone will complain one bit.
3 other things we learned
The Los Angeles Clippers are a game away from history. Since arriving in L.A. more than 30 years ago, the Clippers have never reached the conference finals. The franchise is now one win away from accomplishing that feat after beating the Houston Rockets, 128-95, in Game 4 on Sunday night. The core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan was fantastic yet again, and just as importantly, the secondary guys stepped us. The Clippers' stars have always been dangerous, but nobody expected Austin Rivers to be averaging 16 points per game in this series. He's been a difference-maker, making good on his father's confidence in him.
Los Angeles has averaged nearly 120 points in the series against Houston, and now holds a 3-1 advantage. The Rockets may not be done yet, but they’ll need to show they have something more up their sleeve than the hacking that occurred Sunday night.
Hack-A-Jordan is still an issue. Regardless of where you ultimately fall in the debate regarding the Hack-a-Whoever strategy, its impact on the first half of Game 4 between the Clippers and Rockets was undeniable. Jordan took 28 free throw attempts in the first half, making 10 of them, and while Houston moved away from the strategy in the second half, it set the tone in what was ultimately an underwhelming game. Lots of people are not fans of hacking in basketball, and Sunday’s game was the latest example of why. Only once has a player taken more than Jordan’s 34 free throws in one playoff game:
| Player | Date | Attempts |
| Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers | June 6, 2000 | 39 |
| DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers | May 10, 2015 | 34 |
| Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls | May 14, 1989 | 28 |
| Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers | May 20, 2000 | 27 |
| Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls | May 5, 1989 | 27 |
The Bulls' offense is a mess without Pau Gasol. Chicago likely gave fans flashbacks to its last few seasons with an ugly offensive performance in Game 4. The Bulls have taken a big step forward on that end this season with a healthy Rose, blossoming Butler and the additions of Gasol and Nikola Mirotic, but that was not apparent Sunday.
Gasol was sidelined due a hamstring injury, and the Bulls struggled badly to create mismatches without his mid-range skills. The team shot just 36 percent from the field and drew only 12 free throw attempts, often grinding through possessions before forcing up contested shots. Mirotic is the only Bull capable of pulling opposing bigs away from the basket when Gasol is sidelined, and in Game 4 that allowed the Cavaliers’ big men to stay home and protect the rim without getting punished. With or without Gasol, Chicago will need to find ways to get the opposing defense out of position more often going forward.
Play of the Night
First it was D-Rose, then The Truth, and now The King. Buzzer-beaters for everyone!
7 fun things
Rose’s son was easily the highlight of his father’s press conference.
This D-Rose layup comes from a crazyyyyyy angle.
Dog Walking On A Basketball will always be a must-watch halftime show in my book.
Three buzzer-beaters, one Vine.
Kanye West was unable to bring the Bulls good luck after doing their pregame introductions.
The Hack-a-Jordan mashup you never knew you needed.
All cameramen are likely fans of Griffin after watching this.
Final scores
Cleveland Cavaliers 86, Chicago Bulls 84 (Fear The Sword recap | Blog A Bull recap | SB Nation recap)
Los Angeles Clippers 128, Houston Rockets 95 (The Dream Shake recap | Clips Nation recap | SB Nation recap)
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