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James leads new-look Cavs to season-opening win

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 November 2005, 23:46 CST

TORONTO (Reuters) - LeBron James scored 31 points, including six three-pointers, to lead the revamped Cavaliers to a 109-87 win over the New Orleans Hornets 109-87 in their season opener in Cleveland on Wednesday.

James hit five consecutive shots from outside the arc at one point and notched 24 points by halftime as the Cavaliers had little difficulty with the Hornets, who had won their home opener in Oklahoma City a day earlier.

The Hornets (1-1) are playing all their home games in Oklahoma City this season while the city recovers from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Cleveland had a 21-point lead at halftime against the over-matched Hornets, with the Cavs off-season signings all playing significant roles.

The Cavaliers signed free agents Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones to provide James with some support, but the 20-year-old stole the show with some aggressive outside shooting.

Marshall had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who had five players in double-figures. Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 12 points and seven rebounds while Jones also had 12 points.

Speedy Claxton had 16 points to lead the Hornets, while J.R. Smith chipped in with 15.

In Toronto, Antawan Jamison had 29 points and nine rebounds as the Washington Wizards beat the Raptors 99-96.

Gilbert Arenas scored 21 points and Brendan Haywood had 14 rebounds for the Wizards.

Jalen Rose scored 20 points and Chris Bosh had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Raptors, who lost their home opener.

In Orlando, Jermaine O'Neal scored 19 points as the Indiana Pacers beat the Magic 90-78.

Ron Artest added 16 points for the Pacers while Steve Francis scored 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Magic.

In East Rutherford, Michael Redd scored 41 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the New Jersey Nets 110-96.

Maurice Williams added 23 points for the Bucks, while Vince Carter scored 25 points for Nets.

In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 30 points and had 12 rebounds as the Celtics beat the New York Knicks 114-100 in overtime.

Ricky Davis added 27 points for the Celtics. Stephon Marbury led the Knicks with 22 points.

In Detroit, Richard Hamilton scored 37 points as the Pistons beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-88.

Alan Iverson scored 31 points and Chris Webber scored 16 points and nine rebounds for the 76ers.

In Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Portland Trail Blazers 90-86.

Darius Miles had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers.

In Memphis, Antoine Walker had 25 points and 16 rebounds as the Miami Heat beat the Grizzlies 97-78.

Dwyane Wade had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Heat.

Source: REUTERS

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