A young fan takes a photo as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James walks on the court before the start of the third quarter of Sunday's first-round playoff game against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich. The Cavaliers swept the series in four games.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – LeBron James made 3-pointers from every angle, drove into the lane for dunks and leaned into low post moves.
He was just getting warmed up – two hours before tipoff – and his regular routine provided another demonstration of greatness.
James had 36 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-78 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, sweeping the Eastern Conference first-round series.
The 24-year-old superstar said his work ethic has been “everything” in a breathtaking career that has surpassed unprecedented hype.
“You’re only born with a certain amount of gifts,” he said. “You have to take advantage of them, and put in the work. My work ethic has helped me be the player I am today.”
Cavs coach Mike Brown said James is a “workaholic,” and relayed an anecdote about his son being in awe of James lifting weights and going through individual drills during last offseason.
“I said, ‘LeBron doesn’t just show up at the game with a Superman outfit on,’ ” Brown recalled saying to his son.
James and the top-seeded Cavs were so efficient against past-its-prime Detroit – earning the only sweep of this first round – they might be off for more than a week, waiting for Atlanta or Miami to advance.
“That’s what happens when you take care of business,” James said.
Detroit, meanwhile, will have its longest offseason since 2001 and about $20 million in salary-cap space to rebuild a once-proud team that fell apart after trading Chauncey Billups in November.
“It’s sort of the changing of the guard,” Pistons coach Michael Curry said. “I knew once we traded Chauncey, we were going to be a different team.”
Even with Billups, the Pistons would’ve probably had a tough time getting past James and his dramatically improved surrounding cast.
James made his first four shots – including a windmill dunk – and helped put the Pistons away for good with a 16-6 run midway through the third quarter.
Mo Williams scored a career playoff-high 24 and Delonte West had 12 points for the Cavs.
“Mo was fantastic. Delonte was fantastic,” Brown said. “And obviously, LeBron was LeBron. Again, he almost had a triple-double.”
Magic even series
PHILADELPHIA – Hedo Turkoglu answered the Philadelphia 76ers’ late-game heroics with a big shot of his own.
Turkoglu nailed a 3-pointer over Thaddeus Young with 1.1 seconds to lift the Orlando Magic to an 84-81 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday, evening their Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece.
“The coach had confidence in me,” Turkoglu said. “He called a play for me and I’m just glad I made it.”
Dwight Howard had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and every Magic starter scored in double figures. Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis each scored 17.
Andre Miller led the Sixers with 17 and Young had 15.
Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Orlando.
Rockets go up 3-1
HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets are one win away from finally escaping the first round.
Yao Ming had 21 points and 12 rebounds and the Rockets took a 3-1 lead in their playoff series with Portland, beating the Trail Blazers 89-88 on Sunday night.
Luis Scola scored 17 points and Shane Battier added 14 points and six assists for the Rockets, who snapped a six-game losing streak in Game 4, coinciding with their 0-6 record in first-round series since 1998. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Portland.
Brandon Roy scored 31 points and went 13-for-13 from the free-throw line for the Blazers.