Associated Press
NBA playoff roundup …
CLEVELAND ó Caron Butler whispered in LeBron James’ ear, one last word in case the Washington Wizards’ season was about to end.
With only a few ticks of the clock left, desperate times called for desperate measures.
“I was messing with LeBron before the play started,” Butler said. “I told him, ‘Miss this shot, make it interesting and let’s take this thing back to D.C.”‘
Seconds later, the Wizards were on their way home ó for Game 6.
Butler made a layup with 3.9 seconds left and the Wizards held their breath as James missed a potential series and season-ending layup at the horn, giving Washington an 88-87 victory Wednesday night and adding at least one more game to this overheated NBA playoff series.
After Butler scored on a tough drive past James, the Cavs had one more chance, but their superstar couldn’t get a banked runner to drop as the Wizards, who have had their past three seasons ended by Cleveland, pulled within 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Once off the floor, Butler ran down the hallway toward the Wizards’ locker room. He pulled off his jersey and shouted: “D.C., stand up! D.C., stand up!” before joining his excited teammates.
Butler scored 32 points and DeShawn Stevenson had 17 for the Wizards, who played without guard Gilbert Arenas.
The Wizards got only eight points from the normally reliable Antawn Jamison.
Celtics 110, Hawks 85
BOSTON ó Takedowns and menacing gestures. Double technicals and flagrant fouls. And the Boston Celtics are heading to Atlanta to try to deliver the knockout punch.
Paul Pierce scored a playoff-high 22 points and Ray Allen hit three 3-pointers in the middle of the third quarter Wednesday night to turn back the Hawks’ last charge, leading Boston to a hard-fought 110-85 victory over Atlanta and giving the Celtics a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series