LeBron James drew his own play in the final second of Game 4 against the Chicago Bulls to help the Cleveland Cavaliers even their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, thanks to a 86-84 victory on Sunday.
The Cavaliers had 1.5 second remaining, and coach David Blatt came up a designed play while the referees reviewed a play. Instead, four-time James felt they could afford to lose their second consecutive game against the Bulls, which could have compromised their playoffs aspirations.
James, who described Game 3 loss against the Bulls, “heartbreaking” after a buzzer-beater by Derrick Rose on Saturday morning, responded with a game-winning jumper over Jimmy Butler, leaving the Bulls as well as the United Centre crowd in total disbelief.
“To be honest, the play that was drawn up, I scratched it,” James said after the game.
“I just told coach, ‘Give me the ball.’ We’re either going to go to overtime or I’m going to win it for us. It was that simple.
“I was supposed to take the ball out. I told coach, ‘There’s not way I’m taking the ball out, unless I can shoot it over the backboard and it goes in. ‘I told him, ‘Have somebody else take the ball out, give me the ball, and everybody get out of the way.”
How does James, who finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, rate his shot? He was asked.
“I’ve made big shots before in the postseason. Obviously, this is a huge win for our team. You don’t want to go down 3-1 against anyone. We were able to regain home-court (advantage) with the shot.”
As James celebrated the winning he was mobbed by teammates as the Cavaliers tied the series at 2-2.
Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is on Wednesday in Cleveland.
In Los Angeles, the Clippers gained home-court advantage after trouncing the Houston Rockets 128-95 in their Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinal to take commanding control of their series 3-1.
DeAndre Jordan led all scores with 26 points, had a game-high 17 points, and the Rockets are now on the brink of elimination.
Game 5 on Wednesday morning in Houston.
