Written by Rich Swerbinsky

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James Outduels Wade For Cavs 7th Straight Win

In a duel between two of the games greatest young stars, LeBron James and the Cavaliers held off Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat in a thriller at The Q yesterday afternoon.

LeBron James scored 18 of his 47 points in the final quarter, and registered the 10th triple double of his career, adding 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Wade scored 21 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter, including the Heat’s last 12 points, and added 8 rebounds and 9 assists. But in the end, it was James and the Cavs that would prevail. A dunk by LeBron put the Cavs up for good at 101-99 with a little over a minute left. Then, after a Wade miss, James snagged a clutch offensive rebound at the other end and found a driving Donyell Marshall for a dunk that put the Cavs up 103-99, and essentially ended the contest.

The two stars embraced at half court at the end of the game, both aware that they had just put on the greatest one on one display of talent that the NBA has seen this season. In addition to combining for 39 fourth quarter points, the two defended each other on several occasions, and also found themselves rolling around on the hardwood at one point, both fighting for a loose ball in the second half.

The Heat was without the injured Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, and James Posey … but the game had a definite playoff feel and atmosphere. The win was the seventh straight for the Cavaliers, who at 43-29, are 14 games above .500 for the first time since 1993.

James got help from Anderson Vaerjao, who played very well off the bench, adding 10 points, 8 rebounds, and about five games worth of hustle plays. The resurgent Damon Jones added 12 points on 4 three-pointers. Jones is now 15-24 from three over his last five games.

The Cavs and Heat split the season series at two games apiece. The two would not meet in the playoffs until the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Cavs would have to knock off the Pistons in the second round just to get to them.