Bobcats earn their first win
The Cleveland Cavaliers were the last team the Charlotte Bobcats should have looked to for their first victory of the season. After all, the Cavs had won all seven previous meetings as LeBron James seemingly scored at will whenever he faced them.
That all changed Saturday night, when the Bobcats used stout defense on James to hold him to 16 points in their 92-88 victory over Cleveland in Charlotte, N.C.
Raymond Felton scored 23 points to lead the Bobcats, who had five players in double figures but were most impressive on defense, holding Cleveland to 38 percent shooting.
James never got into a rhythm. He shot just 3 of 13 from the floor as rookie Adam Morrison kept him off balance, forcing James to get his points at the free-throw line, where he made nine of his 10 attempts.
James gave his team quite a scare following a collision with Brevin Knight as the two chased after a loose ball. James dropped to the court in a heap and Brown rushed out to check on his star.
James eventually got up, cringing, and returned to play.
Knight scored 17 for the Bobcats, while Sean May added 14 points. Morrison chipped in 13 and Emeka Okafor had 12.
Drew Gooden led Cleveland with 21 points and 16 rebounds.
Wizards 124, Celtics 117: At Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 44 points, hitting 14 for 25 shots, to lead Washington to a victory over Boston.
Arenas scored 16 in the third quarter. The Wizards’ “Big Three” of Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison accounted for 34 of Washington’s 40 points in the period.
Pacers 109, Knicks 95: At New York, Al Harrington snapped out of an early slump with 32 points, and Indiana sent New York to their fifth straight home-opening loss.
The Pacers shot 67 percent (25 of 38) in the second half to spoil the first home game of Knicks coach Isiah Thomas.
Pistons 95, Grizzlies 86: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton had 24 points and five players scored in double figures to help Detroit beat Memphis.
Rasheed Wallace added 15 points, Nazr Mohammed and Jason Maxiell finished with 13 apiece and Tayshaun Prince scored 12 for the Pistons.
Bucks 104, Kings 91: At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 26 points, Charlie Villanueva had 25 and Milwaukee beat Sacramento in their home opener.
Andrew Bogut finished with 21 points for the Bucks.
Rockets 107, Mavericks 76: At Houston, Yao Ming scored 36 points and Rafer Alston had 14 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, leading Houston to victory over Dallas.
Luther Head had 17 points for the Rockets.
Jazz 106, Warriors 82: At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer had 17 points and 14 rebounds for his third double-double in as many games this season, and Utah remained unbeaten with a win over Golden State.
Mehmet Okur had 17 points and 13 rebounds for his second straight double-double and C.J. Miles scored 17 for Utah.
Trail Blazers 88, Timberwolves 86: At Portland, Ore., Juan Dixon made a 3-pointer with 6.2 seconds left to lift Portland to victory over Minnesota.
Kevin Garnett missed an 8-foot jumper as time ran out for the Timberwolves.
Clippers 114, Suns 108: At Los Angeles, reserve Corey Maggette had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead Los Angeles to a victory over Phoenix.
Sam Cassell scored 23 for Los Angeles, including six free throws in the final 39 seconds.
Off the court
Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was fined $5,000 by the NBA for shoving San Antonio’s Bruce Bowen on Thursday night.