James Is Good to Last Shot

LeBron James now has his signature shot. Until further notice, “The Layup” defines him.

James had 45 points and tiptoed along the baseline for the layup with 0.9 seconds left in overtime, giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a 121-120 victory over the Washington Wizards and a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven first-round Eastern Conference playoff series Wednesday night at Cleveland.

“I had enough room on the baseline,” James said. “If I wore an 18 or 19 size shoe, I wouldn’t have made it. But I wear a 16 and was able to tightrope that baseline to get a layup.”

Gilbert Arenas, who scored 44 points and had given the Wizards their final lead on two free throws, heaved a desperation shot despite having two timeouts left after James’ layup.

Detroit 122, Milwaukee 93 -- Richard Hamilton had a playoff-career high 40 points and the Pistons tied a franchise-playoff scoring record with a 39-point first quarter en route to eliminating the Bucks, 4-1, at Auburn Hills, Mich.

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Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki was fined $15,000 and assessed a flagrant foul penalty two by the NBA for a foul against Memphis’ Pau Gasol in Game 4 Monday.