James helps Cavaliers beat Nets 94-86

January 2, 2010

LeBron James had 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New Jersey Nets 94-86 on Saturday for their seventh straight victory. Mo Williams added 18 points for the Cavaliers, who have won 12 of 13. They have defeated some of the NBA's top teams during their winning streak, but struggled against the league's worst for much of this game, leading by only four with 4 1/2 minutes left. James then put it away, throwing down a dunk and setting up Daniel Gibson for a 3-pointer and an 86-77 lead with 3:05 remaining. Anthony Parker then went to the floor to come up with a loose ball and threw it ahead to a streaking James, who somehow managed to score while two Nets were trying to foul him. His three-point play made it 89-77 with 2:40 to go. Anderson Varejao had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Shaquille O'Neal finished with 12 points and nine boards for the Cavs. Devin Harris scored 22 points and Brook Lopez 20 for the Nets, who started strong before the Cavs, who lead the league in field goal percentage defense, began to control the NBA's worst offensive team.

The Nets fell to 3-30, but the good news is it's finally 2010, when they're hoping to be able to transform the franchise. They could have the most money to offer this summer's free agent class, expected to be highlighted by James, and they hope that, along with his friendship with rapper and part-owner Jay-Z, plus a planned new arena in Brooklyn, could get them in the running for him or one of the other All-Stars who could be available. The Cavaliers wore their home white uniforms and enjoyed plenty of support, with the first visit this season from James and New Jersey native O'Neal producing an announced crowd of 17,569 at the usually attendance-challenged Izod Center. James treated the fans to some powerful dunks, nifty passes and impressive blocks, drawing oohs and aahs sprinkled in with a couple of boos.

The Cavaliers lead the NBA in first-quarter scoring, but the Nets were the ones who started quickly Saturday. They built a nine-point lead midway through the quarter, shot 52 percent and took a 26-19 lead into the second. James, whose late arrival on the second bus cut into his warm-up time, took only two shots and scored five points in the opening 12 minutes.

James was much more aggressive after returning from his rest early in the second, scoring 10 points in the period and helping the Cavs grab a 44-43 halftime lead. New Jersey shot only 4 of 20 in the third, but Cleveland failed to pull away, leading only 69-61 heading to the fourth. Williams and Varejao hit the first two baskets of the fourth as the Cavaliers finally opened a double-digit lead for the first time.

NBA News Central