Cavaliers on target from deep
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LeBron James had 34 points and 14 assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Trail Blazers for a 104-98 victory last night in Portland, Ore.
The Cavaliers made 11 of 19 3-point attempts, including a career-best six by Mo Williams, who set a season high with 33 points.
Cleveland, which led by as many as 11 points in the first half, took a 68-59 lead when James hit two consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter.
But Portland went ahead, 82-81, midway through the fourth quarter on Brandon Roy's layup and free throw. Ben Wallace got the lead back for the Cavaliers with a putback layup, and James hit a 3-pointer.
The Blazers stayed close, pulling to within 92-88 on Greg Oden's pair of free throws. But James hit another 3-pointer, and after Roy (team-high 23 points) hit two foul shots, Williams added another 3 to put Cleveland ahead, 98-90, with 48.9 seconds left.
Lakers 108, Clippers 97 - Andrew Bynum scored a career-high 42 points and Kobe Bryant had his second triple-double in three games as the Lakers picked up a "road" win by beating their
Bynum became the first Laker to reach 40 points other than Bryant since Shaquille O'Neal scored 48 against the Celtics on March 21, 2003. Bynum also pulled down 15 rebounds.
Bryant, playing two days after dislocating his right ring finger, added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists for his 16th career triple-double.
Knicks 114, Suns 109 - Tim Thomas scored all 10 of his points in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter and David Lee notched 25 points and 16 rebounds for host New York, giving coach Mike D'Antoni his first win over his former team.
Thomas scored 7 points during a game-breaking 12-4 run. After the Suns pulled within 112-109 on Jason Richardson's 3-ponter with 11 seconds left, Al Harrington hit a pair of free throws to clinch it.
The Knicks held Shaquille O'Neal to just one field goal in the second half after he had 18 points in the first. O'Neal finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Richardson led Phoenix with 27 points. Steve Nash had a season-high 19 assists.
Bucks 133, Mavericks 99 - Milwaukee set a season high for points, burying visiting Dallas by shooting 69 percent from the field over the final three quarters.
The Bucks' Charlie Villanueva had 32 points and 10 rebounds, offsetting a 30-point night by Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki. Michael Redd pumped in 27 points for Milwaukee and Ramon Sessions added 21.
A 3-pointer by Jason Kidd (18 points) pulled Dallas even at 67 early in the third quarter, but the Bucks responded with a 19-2 run - keyed by three straight 3-pointers by Redd - to send the Mavericks to their worst loss of the season.
Pistons 95, Raptors 76 - Tayshaun Prince scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter, and Detroit cruised past visiting Toronto for its second win in a row following a five-game skid.
Rodney Stuckey added 17 points and Jason Maxiell had season highs in points (16) and rebounds (11) for the Pistons. The Raptors have dropped seven straight.
Hornets 102, Nets 92 - Chris Paul narrowly missed his fifth triple-double of the season with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, carrying New Orleans to a home win.
Peja Stojakovic had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who prevailed despite the absences of frontcourt starters Tyson Chandler (left ankle) and David West (back spasms).
Rockets 108, Jazz 99 - Rafer Alston led the way for host Houston with 23 points and Yao Ming had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Rockets' sixth win in seven games.
Thunder 122, Warriors 121 - Jeff Green (26 points) hit a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to give Oklahoma City just its third road win this season. Russell Westbrook topped the Thunder with 30 points.
Wizards 100, Kings 107 - Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler tore apart host Sacramento for 33 and 32 points, respectively, and Washington held on after blowing most of a 19-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Bobcats 101, Grizzlies 86 - Host Charlotte won for the fourth time in five games as Raja Bell scored 25 points and Emeka Okafor collected 20 points and 15 rebounds.
