Coach Eddie Jordan has often said the Wizards can handle adversity but not prosperity — they regularly overcome daunting deficits but often blow big leads. Their 24-10 edge was built on 9-for-12 shooting, but the Cavaliers needed only six minutes to tie the game in a run highlighted by James’ block on Arenas.

The sequence began when Arenas stole a pass near midcourt and drove for a dunk, but James challenged the shot and both players crashed to the floor. When no foul was called, Jordan screamed and kicked the ball. He and Arenas were assessed technicals, and Jordan was restrained by Daniels and two assistant coaches.

James had another run-in in the fourth quarter, when the side of his head collided with the upper body of Haywood with 9:59 to play. Haywood was called for a foul but not a flagrant one — there appeared to be nothing malicious about the contact — yet James was on his hands and knees for about a half-minute while Cleveland called timeout.

James missed both free throws — amazingly, his first attempts of the game — and committed a turnover on Cleveland’s next possession.

He eventually recovered. James sprawled on the floor to retrieve a rebound with 1:10 to play. James also blocked Jamison’s layup from behind, setting up a fast break that led to a pair of free throws that gave the Cavaliers their first lead of the fourth quarter.

In the extra period, Butler made two free throws with 30 seconds left to give the Wizards a one-point lead. The Cavaliers were working to try to retake the lead when Eric Snow launched a crosscourt pass that flew over the head of Murray and over Washington’s bench.

Arenas then missed the free throws before Jones — who has played for 10 teams in eight seasons — came through.

“It was definitely frustrating for a guy who played big minutes a year ago and to come into a situation where you’re not playing as much,” Jones said. “But I’m a professional, and coming into this situation, I came here for a reason and that was to win basketball games.”

That’s just what he did.

Notes: The Cavaliers had never won a Game 6, going 0-4 all-time until Friday. ... Butler mistakenly took the free throw after the flagrant foul involving Haywood, so Haywood had to retake the free throw later in the quarter. ... The Cavaliers have won seven consecutive one-point games. ... James has set at least 15 franchise records in the series. Perhaps the most telling is his 182 total points through five games, easily surpassing Brad Daugherty’s mark of 158 set over seven games in the 1992 Eastern Conference finals.

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