Cavs blow out Magic, snap skid

The postgame scene in Cleveland’s crowded locker room Tuesday night was much more MTV than NBA.

R&B superstar Usher, mega-hit producer/rapper Jermaine Dupri, new Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert and others mingled with players as television camera crews captured every moment for posterity.

There was reason to celebrate: the Cavaliers had won again.

LeBron James scored 23 points and Drew Gooden had 23 more in his return to Cleveland’s starting lineup as the Cavaliers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 111-92 win over the Orlando Magic at Cleveland.

Cheered on by minority owner Usher, who grabbed a microphone and boldly guaranteed a victory in the second quarter, the Cavaliers won for the first time since Feb. 23.

“We needed this win,” James said. “Everybody stepped up. We were slipping back and it had to stop.”

James took it upon himself to make sure the Cavaliers got back on track, adding eight assists and seven rebounds in 40 minutes. Gooden finished 10 of 13 from the field and added five rebounds and five assists.

Gooden’s inconsistency had prompted Cavs coach Paul Silas to replace him for two games as a starter. The benching seemed to awaken Gooden, who had one of his best all-around games this season .

Steve Francis scored 21 points for Orlando, which had its win streak stopped at three.

Warriors 104, 76ers 85: At Philadelphia, Jason Richardson scored 22 points to lead Golden State to just its eighth road win of the season with a victory over Philadelphia.

For the third straight game, Chris Webber was basically a non-factor. He finished with eight points on 3-for-12 shooting in 30 minutes.

Kings 85, Grizzlies 82: At Sacramento, Calif., Mike Bibby’s long 3-pointer as time expired was upheld on a controversial video review, and Sacramento beat Memphis.

Peja Stojakovic’s inbounds pass with 1.4 seconds left was tipped by James Posey, but the clock didn’t start until Bibby grabbed the ball, turned and hit an amazing 3-pointer from several feet behind the line.

Knicks 93, Wizards 83: At New York, improving to 5-1 since the trade deadline, New York received 19 points from Jamal Crawford and solid all-around contributions from several players in its win over Washington.

Timberwolves 102, Bobcats 97: At Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett refused to let expansion Charlotte pull off a season sweep of his team. Garnett scored 22 of his 30 points in the second half, carrying Minnesota to a victory over Charlotte.

Bucks 105, Hawks 101: At Milwaukee, Mo Williams had 22 points and 10 assists, and Desmond Mason also scored 22 points to lead Milwaukee past Atlanta.

Spurs 90, Nets 74: At San Antonio, Tim Duncan made a quick return to the Spurs lineup after leaving his last game with an injury, and had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead San Antonio past New Jersey.

Pacers 89, Jazz 83: At Salt Lake City, Stephen Jackson scored 30 points and Indiana rallied after blowing a 25-point lead to beat Utah.

Clippers 110, Lakers 101: At Los Angeles, Corey Maggette scored 30 points, Elton Brand had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and visiting Los Angeles beat their in-town rivals despite Kobe Bryant’s 41 points.

Off the court

Washington Wizards’ forward Antawn Jamison missed a game for the first time in nearly five years, sitting out because of a sore right knee. … Orlando forward Grant Hill will miss two games because of a bruised left shin, which included the matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. … The Atlanta Hawks placed 42-year-old center Kevin Willis on the injured list and activated rookie guard Donta Smith. … The Utah Jazz placed center Jarron Collins on the injured list with a sprained right shoulder.