James burst helps Cavaliers end Nets run

NEW YORK (Reuters) – LeBron James scored 37 points – 18 of
them in the fourth quarter – as the Cleveland Cavaliers ended
the New Jersey Nets’ 14-game winning streak with a 108-102 win
in National Basketball Association play on Saturday.

New Jersey led 101-96 late in the fourth quarter but the
Cavaliers scored 12 of the game’s last 13 points to leave the
Nets one game short of a new franchise record for consecutive
victories.

Cleveland won for the 10th time in the past 11 games and
stopped the Nets from becoming the first NBA team since the
1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers to win at least 15 games in row.

“It’s all about the team,” James told reporters.

“We won a big game on the road. This was a game that had
playoff atmosphere, especially late in the game.”

Both teams are heading for the playoffs, with the Cavaliers
(46-30) in the fourth seed and the Atlantic Division champion
Nets (46-29) holding down the third seed.

New Jersey can still catch Miami in the overall standings
and finish second, but with just seven games left will likely
finish third, with both teams having home court advantage in
the first round of the playoffs.

The Nets led by six points after three quarters, but the
Cavaliers dominated the fourth quarter, led by James, and
out-scored New Jersey 36-24 in the final 12 minutes.

Cleveland had five players in double-figures in scoring,
including James and Drew Gooden, who had 16 points and nine
rebounds.

Larry Hughes added 15 points for the Cavaliers in his third
game back after missing 45 games with a broken finger.

COSTLY MISSES

Vince Carter led the Nets with 33 points, but he missed
three jumpers and a foul shot in the final minute, misses that
turned out to be costly for the Nets.

New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank defended his leading
scorer, who has been a big part of the Nets’ winning streak.

“I live and die with Vince Carter,” Frank told reporters.
“If he felt he was open on the shot, then I support him.”

Richard Jefferson added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the
Nets, while Nenad Krstic had 18 points.

Jason Kidd, who had a triple-double in his previous game,
turned in another strong performance with 11 points, 10
rebounds and seven assists.

The Cavaliers hit 54 percent from the field while the Nets
were held to 47.5 percent shooting, including making just
6-of-22 attempts from 3-point range.

In Chicago, Allen Iverson scored 39 points as the
Philadelphia 76ers scored a crucial 89-75 win over the Chicago
Bulls.

The Sixers moved back into a tie with the Bulls for the
eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with
the victory. Chicago beat Philadelphia last week in
Philadelphia.

Both teams have six games left to play.

Samuel Dalembert had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the
Sixers. Andres Nocioni led Chicago with 19 points.

In Washington, Shaquille O’Neal had 27 points and 10
rebounds as the Miami Heat beat the Wizards 99-86.

Derek Anderson added 20 points and Udonis Haslem had 13
points and 14 rebounds for the Heat, which has beaten the
Wizards 16 straight times.

Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 30 points and Antonio
Daniels added a season-high 25 points.