Cavaliers: Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ big game takes burden off LeBron James
NorthCoastNOW
CLEVELAND — With LeBron James less than 100 percent physically, the consensus was that — even as good as he is — King James would not be able to go it alone against the Washington Wizards in the opening round of the playoffs.
In Game 1 at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday, James had some company in the biggest of forms — 7-foot-3, 260-pound center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ilgauskas, who has sung background vocals since James’ arrival in Cleveland, performed a bit of a solo act to help the Cavs past the Wizards, scoring 22 points and adding a team-high 11 rebounds in Cleveland’s 93-86 victory.
The Cavaliers got Ilgauskas involved early, and it paid off, with the Lithuanian big man scoring 14 points in the opening half, eight in the first quarter.
“We hit a couple jumpers early and then we went to the post-up game,” said Ilgauskas. “I was able to get to the free throw line and I hit a couple shots.
“We’re going to have to play an inside-out game against these guys. If we just start shooting jump shots, it’s going to be tough.”
Though he didn’t shoot a sizzling percentage from the field (41 percent), Ilgauskas did hit seven (of 17) field goals and all eight of his free throw attempts. Of his 11 rebounds, four came on the offensive end, and he mixed in four assists.
It was the perfect complement to James and Cleveland’s perimeter shooters.
“Z’s that guy,” said Cavs guard Daniel Gibson. “Z finds a way to get his hands on balls. When he’s open, he usually knocks shots down. He’s great to have on your team because he gives us a lot of extra possessions.”
Ilgauskas’ 14 points led the Cavaliers in the first half, but his production did not cease. He was still a force after intermission, mainly in the final quarter when Cleveland needed him most.
With the Cavs trailing 69-65 to start the fourth, Ilgauskas assisted on their first basket — a jump shot from Devin Brown — before scoring six points over a five-minute span that ended on his 20-foot jumper and with Cleveland in front
82-79 with 5:56 to play.
“It started with Z,” said James, who led all scorers with 32 points and combined with Ilgauskas for 14 of Cleveland’s 28 fourth-quarter points. “Z took control at the beginning of the fourth quarter and I took over down the stretch.”
“You’ve got to make yourself available,” Ilgauskas said. “And if you’re open, you’ve got to make the play.”
Included in Ilgauskas’ expanded offensive effort was a lob pass on an inbounds play that resulted in a James alley-oop dunk, which put the Cavs up 53-50 in the early stages of the third quarter.
“Over in Lithuania, he’s known as ‘Magic,’” said Cavs coach Mike Brown. “He put that on display (today).”
Despite the physical nature of the game, Ilgauskas, not exactly considered a bruiser, was still able to flourish. He held his own against Washington big men Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison in the paint and had no problem with the hands-on approach.
“It’s the playoffs,” Ilgauskas said. “(The referees) don’t call as much and they let you push more, which is good. That’s the way it should be.”
Ilgauskas was one of the first players to rush to James’ aid when he got tangled up with Haywood at the end of the first half and referees had to separate players from both teams.
“Nobody wants to be stupid and throw a punch,” Ilgauskas said. “I just wanted to make sure in case something happened that I was there to protect my teammate. It was an emotional game. Guys get frustrated. I’m sure it’s not the last time it’s going to happen.”
The Cavaliers hope they can say the same about the quality assistance from Ilgauskas.
Contact Chris Assenheimer
at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by NorthCoastNOW April 20th, 2008 in Sports.
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