After recently being touted by his coach as NBA MVP, LeBron James backed up that statement with another superb performance, leading the Cavaliers in a 90-89 nail-biter over Washington. James hit the winning free throws with 8 seconds left as part of his 33-point, 15-rebound night, while playing nearly the entire game because Cleveland dressed only eight players, reports AP.
The Cavs were shorthanded because they couldn't use the four players they acquired in a major trade Thursday, including center Ben Wallace. Damon Jones, however, was a nice accompaniment to James with 27 points, including seven three-pointers. The Wizards' DeShawn Stevenson had a chance to win after LeBron's foul shots, but his layup attempt failed. Washington's lost 10 of 11. (More NBA stories.)