Cavs Chain Grizzlies In OT
Bob Sura was winded but willing when he was sent into the game for defense during overtime Monday night.
"I felt like a Chevy Blazer trying to win the Indianapolis 500," Sura said after playing his first game since February 1. "I was three steps slow."
Sura, who had been sidelined by a sprained toe, slapped the ball away from Michael Dickerson with three seconds left to preserve the Cleveland Cavaliers' 109-108 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
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Mark Bryant gave Cleveland its only lead of overtime by converting a three-point play with 2:01 left. Bryant made a hook shot in the lane, was fouled, and sank the free throw for a 109-108 advantage.
Both teams missed chances to score and Vancouver got the ball back with 12.9 seconds to play after a bad pass by Cavaliers rookie Andre Miller. Dickerson caught a pass from Mike Bibby near the top of the key, and Sura reached in from behind and slapped the ball away.
"I knew we had a foul to give and thought I would take a swipe and see what happens," Sura said. "I anticipated his move to the right, wanted to force him to his weaker hand, and was able to get all ball."
Dickerson thought he was fouled.
"He got me right here," Dickerson said as he pointed to his right forearm. "It was a blatant foul."
Shawn Kemp, the suject of trade rumors of late, scored 26 points to lead the Cavaliers. Lamond Murray had 25 and Person added 18, including five 3-pointers.
Dickerson scored 27 points, including four free throws in the final 9.4 seconds of regulation, to lead Vancouver.
Dickerson made two foul shots to put the Grizzlies ahead, 100-99. Cleveland called timeout and set up a shot for Kemp, who drove the lane but misfired badly with 3.1 seconds to play.
Dickerson grabbed the rebound, was fouled by Danny Ferry and made two more free throws for a 102-99 advantage.
After another timeout, Person took an inbounds pass from Miller, faked Doug West into the air, then tied the score with a 26-foot jumper from the wing.
"We execute that play every day in practice," Cavs coach Randy Wittman said. "Two guys went to Lamond and Andre had the presence of mind to have patience and find Wesley."
Murray already had 17 points with 1:30 left to play in the first quarter, then did not take another shot for the next 17:21.
Bibby scored four of his 25 points in overtime for Vancouver.
Notes
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