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James burst helps Cavaliers end Nets run

Posted on: Saturday, 8 April 2006, 22:09 CDT

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.

Source: REUTERS

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