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Cavs top Nets

Cleveland's LeBron James (23) scored 27 points for the streaking Cavaliers. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Cleveland's LeBron James (23) scored 27 points for the streaking Cavaliers. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

LeBron James scored 27 points and assisted on Lucious Harris’ clinching 3-pointer with 6 seconds left as the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers won their eighth straight at home, 103-97 over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.

At 12-6, the Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference – the first time they’ve had that distinction after 15 games since March 21, 1989, when they were 48-17.

After his two free throws put the Cavaliers up 97-93 with 1:35 to play, James stole Richard Jefferson’s crosscourt pass and streaked in for a thunderous slam dunk.

The Nets pulled within 100-97 on Jason Collins’ tip with 30.9 seconds to go, but James fed Harris in the right corner and the shooting guard, who spent seven seasons with the Nets before signing with Cleveland as a free agent last summer, drilled his 3.

Mavericks 97, Timberwolves 87: At Minneapolis, Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points, including 23 in the second half, and Dallas snapped Minnesota’s five-game winning streak. Josh Howard had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks, who overcame the early ejection of coach Don Nelson and outrebounded Minnesota 54-35 to win for the third time in four games. Kevin Garnett had 32 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for Minnesota.

Bucks 89, Pacers 86: At Indianapolis, Michael Redd scored 28 points and Milwaukee defeated Indiana for its first road win of the season. Desmond Mason added 21 points and seven rebounds for the Bucks, who opened with seven straight road losses before breaking through against Indiana thanks in large part to a 48-34 rebounding advantage. It was the fifth straight loss for the Pacers.

Grizzlies 96, Knicks 88: At Memphis, Tenn., Earl Watson scored a career-high 22 points, hitting 9 of 10 from the field, and Mike Miller added 20 in Memphis’ victory over New York. Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 17 points, while Tim Thomas and Nazr Mohammed contributed 16 each, and Kurt Thomas scored 12. New York’s leading scorer, Stephon Marbury, had nine points and nine assists but hit 2 of 12 shots from the field.

Rockets 89, Hornets 81: At Houston, Yao Ming scored 21 points and had nine rebounds to lead Houston to a win over New Orleans. Tracy McGrady had his second straight poor shooting night, shooting 7 of 19 – including 1 of 8 from 3-point range – to finish with 18 points.

Suns 118, Warriors 104: At Phoenix, Steve Nash had 11 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, when Phoenix rallied from seven points down to beat Golden State. Amare Stoudemire had 33 points and 11 rebounds, Shawn Marion had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Joe Johnson chipped in 20 points as the Suns won for the 12th time in 13 games.

Kings 109, Bobcats 92: At Sacramento, Calif., Peja Stojakovic had season highs of 30 points and 12 rebounds, and Brad Miller scored 27 points in Sacramento’s 12th victory in 13 games, a win over Charlotte. The Kings’ Darius Songaila matched his career high with 17 points.