Did that just happen?
Did I see LeBron James miss a 4-foot shot and Cleveland miss a tap at the basket to lose that game? Reminds me of last year when Cleveland had a chance to put the New Jersey Nets away in Game 5 in the Eastern Conference semifinals and didn't, but won it in Jersey in Game 6.
I can see the same thing happening in Game 6 Friday in Washington. Here's the thing. The Wizards are going to be so jacked up for the game. So Cleveland should have closed them out here. Up 5 with a minute and a half left, that's a game you should win.
Here's what crazy about this game.
Cleveland shot 36 percent from the field and SHOULD HAVE WON THE GAME, but didn't. They didn't score on three straight possessions and still COULD HAVE WON THE GAME on the final shot of the game.
Here's what's crazier.
I'm sitting there waiting for James to come out for the press conference thinking, why am I about to ask him about what he didn't do when he scored 34 points, had 10 rebounds and seven assists.
What this tells me is that he's doing so much, but has to do even more. It's a situation that makes you realize the Cavaliers need more on the roster to really contend for a title. Hey, look at the Hawks, 76ers, and Magic. They're getting better.
The Pistons and Celtics are still the best in the East. So Cleveland still has work to do. Now with James, they're capable of beating anyone, but doing it for a seven-game series against a team with equal or better talent, tough task.
Looking ahead to Game 6 on Friday. Boy, that's going to be a scene. The Wizards are going to be hyped. The fans are going to be crazy. DeShawn Stevenson said after the game he found his game at home and he brought it to Cleveland by scoring 17 points.
He'll look to have another big game Friday. The debate going around is are the Wizards better without Gilbert Arenas, who missed the game with an injury.
In the long term? No. In the short term? Yes. Right now, Arenas just isn't up to doing what he does best so having Caron Butler do his thing was good for them. The Cavaliers will make the adjustment for Game 6, but if Antawn Jamison has a big game, Washington just might end up back in Cleveland for Sunday's Game 7.
Also look for Washington to employ the Hack-A-Ben strategy. They did it once Wednesday and Wallace ended up missing both free throws.
Think about it. 1-point game. That made a difference.
The crazy thing about that is Butler said it was a spontaneous thing. They went to it and it wasn't a called play. Look for Washington to put it in the game plan for Game 6.
Well, I better call it a night. Got to go to bed and get ready to head out the Cleveland Clinic Courts on Thursday to interview the Cavaliers for a Game 6 preview.
See you around.
-- Duane Rankin