The Cleveland Cavaliers entered Wednesday having lost three of its past four games, including recent blowout losses to Houston Rockets and the Orlando Magic.
LeBron James got his team back on track against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 37-point night and a game-winning shot at the buzzer in overtime.
What a game.
— ESPN (@espn) February 8, 2018
What a shot.
Legendary finish. pic.twitter.com/76BJKZbFSq
With the score 138-138 in overtime and exactly one second left in the period, Jeff Green passed the ball halfway upcourt to James, who caught it at the free-throw line, spun and got a shot off before time ran out.
James finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists, outlasting Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler, who scored 35 points.
The extra period was only necessary when James missed a 3-pointer to win at the end of the fourth quarter. But he rectified that in overtime, first by blocking Butler as he attempted a layup to break the tie in the final seconds, then by sinking the game-winner.
It was the fifth game-winning shot of James’ career, including three that came in the playoffs.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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