27-04-2009

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LeBron Takes Control as Cavaliers Complete the Sweep on Pistons »

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.” James and the top-seeded Cavs were so efficient against past-its-prime Detroit — earning the only sweep of this postseason — they might be off for more than a week, waiting for Atlanta or Miami to advance. The Cavaliers became the only team to sweep their series in the first round and just the third team to sweep a team by winning each game by a double-digit margin (1980 Celtics and 2004 Pacers). LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 36 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. He finished the series averaging 32.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists, becoming just the third player in NBA history to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a single postseason series (Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson are the others). James became just the second player in NBA history to accumulate at least 1,300 points, 400 rebounds and 350 assists in his first 50 career postseason games (Oscar Robertson was the other).

Photos Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE via Getty Images. Photos by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images, Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images.