But despite their efforts, James was able to Houdini himself free for an assortment of easy baskets for himself or a teammate.

For all those defensive tricks, James still put up big numbers -- 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists -- and more importantly, lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 94-82 win and a 2-0 series lead.

"Offensively, he's an unbelievable player," said Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, who was honored before the game as the NBA's coach of the year. "But what makes him special is his ability when he does get double-teamed.

"If you come with a small (defender), he offensively can see over the top of the double team. Even when you come with a big, he can see over the top of the double team and make plays for guys on the backside."

James' ability to attack defenses comes from years of facing just about every imaginable defensive scheme.

"That's usually what happens with great players," Pistons coach Michael Curry said.

"They see so much of everything (defensively). That's how they become great.

"That's why there are very few great players."

UConn guards light it up

Detroit's Richard Hamilton was among those who watched Boston and Chicago's Game 2 matchup Monday, which featured a pair of former Connecticut players -- Chicago's Ben Gordon and Boston's Ray Allen -- taking over the game for their teams. Allen finally delivered the game winner for the Celtics with two seconds to play.

Gordon finished with 42 points and Allen had 30.

"That was fun to watch; as a fan, as a guy that went to Connecticut," said Hamilton, who led the Huskies to the school's first national championship in 1999.

James finishes second

James finished runner-up for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award.

Orlando center Dwight Howard won by a comfortable margin. He received

105 first-place votes and a total of 542 points.