Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 24 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, but it was James’ passing that helped Cleveland hold on in the final minutes. He fed Drew Gooden for a dunk, Ilgauskas for a jumper and drove to the basket before dishing out to Pavlovic for the 3-pointer that pushed the lead to six with 25 seconds to play.
“I had a good look at it, but Sasha had a better look,” James said. “It’s all about making a better play — and that was the better play. I’ve done it time and time and time again.”
James said he asked coach Mike Brown to call that specific play, even though Pavlovic was having a rough night.
“I missed all wide-open shots,” said Pavlovic, who finished 5-for-12 from the field and had five turnovers. “And I’m glad my teammates believed in me and they still kept passing me the ball when I was wide open. I had to make that shot.”
