James leads Cavs past Magic

(The Sports Xchange) — – -LeBron James scored 29 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 98-89 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Cleveland (18-11) trailed for much of the game until James began to dominate late. He scored Cleveland’s last eight points.

The Cavs were without point guard Kyrie Irving, who bruised a knee Thursday.

 

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Rockets 117, Grizzlies 111 (overtime)

 

The new-look Houston Rockets defeated Memphis 117-111 in overtime to take the Southwest Division lead from the Grizzlies, with James Harden scoring 32 points and just missing out on a triple-double.

Houston (21-7) also got 21 points and eight rebounds from Josh Smith after signing him to a contract on Friday morning.

The Grizzlies (21-8), who got 29 points and eight rebounds from Marc Gasol, lost their season-high fourth straight game.

 

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Mavericks 102, Lakers 98

Dirk Nowitzki scored 14 points and moved into eighth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list as the Dallas Mavericks earned a 102-98 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were playing without the injured Kobe Bryant.

 

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Pelicans 97, Spurs 90

Anthony Davis turned in a monster third quarter as the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 97-90.

In handing the defending NBA champions their sixth loss in seven games, Davis scored 10 points, blocked four shots and grabbed four rebounds in the third period as the Pelicans opened a 70-64 lead.

 

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Bucks 107, Hawks 77

 

Jared Dudley came off the bench to score a season-high 24 points and spark the Milwaukee Bucks to a 107-77 road win over Atlanta, ending the Hawks’ five-game winning streak.

Dudley was 10-for-10 from the field as the Bucks halted a seven-game skid against the Hawks that began on March 27, 2012.

 

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Nets 109, Celtics 107

 

Jarrett Jack scored a game-high 27 points and the Brooklyn Nets edged Boston 109-107 when Jared Sullinger missed a game-tying shot at the buzzer for the Celtics.

The Nets posted their first three-game winning streak of the season.

 

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Thunder 98, Hornets 75

 

Russell Westbrook scored 29 points in the absence of the injured Kevin Durant to lead Oklahoma City to a 98-75 win over Charlotte.