Written by Rich Swerbinsky

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Team Has Won Five Straight, Now 12 Games Over .500

For the fourth time in this five game win streak, the Cavaliers rode late game heroics to a win yesterday afternoon, fighting back from a 62-49 third quarter deficit to knock off the Houston Rockets 104-102 in overtime.

The win was the Cavs fifth straight, and they are now 5-0 in overtime games this season.

The Cavs were down three late in the game when LeBron James drive right at Yao Ming with just over twenty seconds left in regulation. LeBron converted the bucket despite a hard foul from Yao, and calmly knocked down the free throw to tie the game. Then, at the other end of the court, LeBron stripped Yao with time elapsing to send the game into the overtime session. LeBron scored 15 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and overtime helping secure the win over the Rockets, who were the only team in the league LeBron had yet to beat in his magnificent pro career.

The Cavs never trailed in overtime, and two late free throws by Damon Jones that increased the lead to 105-101 sealed the win. Jones, a native of the Houston area, had a phenomenal game. He ended with a season-high 22 points on 8-10 shooting from the field. Zydrunas Ilgauskas chipped in with 21 points and 8 rebounds, and did a very nice job defending Yao Ming for most of the contest.

The win moves the Cavs to a season best twelve games over .500 at 41-29, and five games up on the Pacers and Wizards for the #4 seed in the East with just twelve games remaining. Their magic number to clinch a playoff berth is now down to two, and the postseason picture is starting to come into focus: a first round series hosting Washington or Indiana, with the Pistons awaiting the winner. The Cavs have a couple days off before hosting the Mavericks at The Q on Wednesday night.