An unlikely hero

God works in mysterious ways, and none more mysterious than last night, when He allowed Damon Jones, the self-proclaimed "world's greatest shooter" to self-proclaim it with more than his mouth. Jones' nailed a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired in the Cavs' 98-97 victory over the Toronto Raptors. This on the same day that Jones says he was falsely accused in a sexual assault case. This on the same day that the Cleveland Scene's front-cover article said Jones won't shut up no matter how much the fans boo.

If his name were Earl instead of Damon, the 3-pointer would have rattled in and out and probably come back down to smack him on the head, knocking him out. But life's no TV show, not even a reality TV show, so this time karma didn't take Damon out. Instead, the Cavs extended their winning streak to four games, putting thoughts of another Cleveland Collapse© to rest. For the Cavs to miss the playoffs now, what with an 8½-game lead over the ninth-place Bulls, would take something the word "collapse" couldn't even describe.

So it looks as if the Cavs are going to make it to the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and Cleveland will see its first playoff team since Kelly Holcomb earned himself a barbecue-sauce endorsement in 2003. Be prepared to get on your knees and pray.