Lebron Isn’t Letting Pain Deter Drive For Cavs Title

LeBron isn’t letting pain deter drive for Cavs title James moved slowly and not with his usual grace one day after his brilliant performance in Game 3 lifted Cleveland to a 114-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks in overtime, moving the Cavs within a victory of their first Finals appearance since 2007. James wore a sleeve on his right calf, which cramped so severely that he asked to be taken out Sunday night before reconsidering. [...] he pushed through the pain and delivered 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists — all after an 0-for-10 shooting start — to help the Cavs take a 3-0 series lead. Not this close to his fifth straight Finals or a championship. With a win Tuesday night, the Cavs can clinch the Eastern Conference title and get some rest before a Finals matchup presumably against the Warriors, who lead Houston 3-1 after losing Monday’s Game 4. Cleveland’s season has been strewn with obstacles: extreme expectations, chemistry issues, trades and injuries, including ones in the postseason to forward Kevin Love and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, who has missed the past two games with an injured left knee. Before the season, James predicted this — molding a new team into a title contender — would be the greatest challenge of his career. The Cavs need one more win over the rising Hawks, who showed resilience in Game 3 by overcoming a 10-point deficit in the fourth when they appeared done. Despite overwhelming odds, the Hawks won’t quit. For James, the only ending he can envision is winning his third title and ending Cleveland’s 51-year championship drought. While his teammates got treatment and relaxed after a draining game, Irving went through another vigorous workout as Cleveland’s coaching staff and medical team kept a close eye on him. Cavs coach David Blatt said that Irving remains a game-time decision for Tuesday and that the team’s lead in the series has no bearing on whether he’ll play. “We need Kyrie on the court, and we’re not really thinking about resting him as much as we’re thinking about him being healthy to play basketball,” Blatt said. After making strong inferences that they felt Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova plays dirty, the Hawks were quiet about the subject. Earlier in the series, Dellavedova injured Kyle Korver when he dived on the floor and rolled up on the Atlanta guard’s ankle. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was careful with his words about Horford’s ejection. With Love out, he’s playing more, and the four-year veteran, who will be a free agent this summer, has been almost unstoppable on the boards. Cavaliers 97, Hawks 89 Cavaliers 94, Hawks 82 Cavaliers 114, Hawks 111 (OT)