WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) -- LeBron James scored 30 points Saturday as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Washington, 98-92, to take a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Cleveland raced out to a 61-44 halftime lead, and then spent the second half holding off a strong Washington comeback bid.
Washington out-scored Cleveland, 31-16, in the third quarter to close to 77-75 entering the fourth, but -- led by James -- Cleveland held on.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 24 points and eight rebounds; Larry Hughes had 11 points and eight rebounds; and Sasha Pavlovic added 11 points, four rebounds and five assists for the Cavaliers -- who can sweep the series with a victory Monday night.
Antawn Jamison led Washington with 38 points and 11 rebounds. Antonio Daniels had 20 points and 13 assists, while Jarvis Hayes added 15 points and four rebounds for the Wizards -- who were eliminated on their home court by Cleveland in last year's playoffs.
