Game Capsules from The Sports Network:
May 7, 2015:
Cleveland 106, Chicago 91
Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Something was different about LeBron James as he led the Cavaliers to a win over the Bulls in Game 2. And it wasn't just the headband. James poured in 33 points, 14 more than he had in Game 1, and Cleveland beat Chicago 106-91 on Wednesday night to even their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 1-1. After shooting 9-of-22 in Monday's 99-92 loss, James had 22 points in the first half of this one, helping the Cavaliers build a big lead on the way to a much-needed win with the series shifting to Chicago for the next two games. The short-handed Cavs controlled play except for a two-minute span in the third quarter when the Bulls scored 14 straight points to cut into a 25-point deficit. James donned his trademark headband for the first time in almost two months and added eight rebounds, five assists and two steals for the No. 2-seeded Cavs. Kyrie Irving chipped in 21 points in the win and James Jones and Iman Shumpert combined for 32 with nine 3-pointers between them. Jimmy Butler scored 18 points to lead the third-seeded Bulls and Derrick Rose had 14 points and 10 assists. Game 3 is Friday.
Houston 115, LA Clippers 109
Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - James Harden got back on track with 32 points and Dwight Howard tallied 24 with 16 rebounds, but it was Houston's near historic free throw shooting that stole the headlines in Game 2. The Rockets took 64 foul shots, two shy of an NBA all-time playoff high, in their 115-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers that evened this seven-game Western Conference semifinals series at 1-1. After knocking off Dallas in the first round in convincing fashion and having five days off to rest before Monday's Game 1, Houston came out flat and got embarrassed at home by the short-handed Clippers. The result of this one was in doubt until the closing moments. A 10-2 run had Los Angeles to within 111-107 with a minute left, and Corey Brewer air-balled a runner at the other end to give the Clippers life. But Austin Rivers, starting his second straight game for injured star Chris Paul, lost the ball out of bounds and Howard sank two free throws at the other end. Paul, after playing some of the best basketball of his career in a Round 1 win over the Spurs, sat again to nurse a strained left hamstring. Blake Griffin followed up his Game 1 triple-double with 34 points and 15 rebounds, but the free throw discrepancy was too much for L.A. to overcome. Houston finished 42-for-64 from the stripe, led by Harden's perfect 15-for-15. It outscored Los Angeles by 17 points from the line and pulled off the win despite making five less field goals. Game 3 is Friday in Los Angeles.
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