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James Scores 30, Wizards Lose by 30
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"They beat us and we beat ourselves," said Jordan. "Their coach kept them disciplined and this coach couldn't keep our guys disciplined enough to keep it competitive. That being said, they did what they were supposed to do, obviously, and we're guaranteed four games. We're going home and we'll see if we can lick our wounds, regroup and play with much more discipline, intensity and intelligence."
James showed all of that and more on a night when he controlled the game's tempo, mixed his scoring opportunities with passes to teammates, and took turns defending Arenas.
He stretched Cleveland's lead to 18 points when he drove and found Wally Szczerbiak for a three-pointer early in the third quarter and later stretched it to 20 when he made a 23-foot jump shot.
Cleveland led 65-50 midway through the third, when James drove hard down the lane, took off and was sent sprawling by Haywood, who was given a flagrant-2 foul and ejected from the game.
"It was scary honestly," James said. "My junior year, I fell like that and ended up breaking my wrist. When I was in the air, all I was thinking about [was] getting a leg under me so I could break my fall."
Added James: "It definitely wasn't a basketball play at all. In no way, shape or form."
The Cavaliers have now won eight consecutive playoff games against the Wizards, dating back to the 2006 series, and Monday's final score represented the largest margin of victory in a playoff game in team history.
"I know we just tried to come out and build a lead, which we did," said Joe Smith, a Cleveland forward and former Maryland star who contributed nine points off the bench. "Just kind of stick with what we are doing. You could see a little bit of frustration in their faces but that happens anytime you get down by 15 or 20 points and can't find an answer to get back into the game."
For the Wizards to turn things around, Arenas, Butler and Jamison will have to get it going offensively.
"We just have to do a better job to find a way to get in a better rhythm when the game is going their way," said Jamison. "We have to attack the rim better and get more fouls. Tonight, they were more aggressive than we were to start the game and throughout the game."
