Rookie LeBron James had 23 points and nine assists, and Carlos Boozer scored a career-high 28 as the Cleveland Cavaliers finally won on national TV, 95-86 over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.
James, whose addition to the Cavs has given them unprecedented exposure and pressure, helped Cleveland improve to 1-5 in prime-time telecasts. The Cavs have won just two of 11.
"We finally got one," said James, who followed coach Paul Silas' orders and drove to the basket more than he has all season. "We needed to get one -- whether it was on TV or not."
Cleveland also snapped an eight-game losing streak to Detroit. The Cavs hadn't beaten the Pistons since Dec. 4, 2001. The win was also Cleveland's first over a team with a winning record since defeating New Orleans last April 5.
Ricky Davis had 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Cavs.
Richard Hamilton, who scored a career-high 44 points in a win over Cleveland on Nov. 28, led the Pistons with 19 points. Tayshaun Prince added 14 points.
"We're playing losing basketball right now," forward Detroit's Ben Wallace said. "We've got to get down and play guys, and we've got to share the ball. And we ain't doing that."
Spurs 71, Rockets 67
In Houston, Tim Duncan scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half to lead San Antonio past Houston in a game in which the teams combined for the lowest scoring first half in NBA history.
Duncan scored seven of his 10 fourth-quarter points in a 15-6 run as the Spurs rallied from a four-point deficit. Devin Brown made two free-throws to seal San Antonio's fifth straight win.
Cuttino Mobley scored 19 points, and Steve Francis had 18 for Houston, which had its four-game winning streak halted.
- PTS / AVG
1. Iverson, Phil. 588 / 29.4 McGrady, Orl. 515 / 24.5
2. Garnett, Minn. 501 / 23.9
3. Davis, N.O. 514 / 23.4
4. Stojakovic, Sac. 443 / 23.3
5. Pierce, Bos. 509 / 23.1
6. Carter, Tor. 481 / 22.9
7. Duncan, S.A. 428 / 22.5
8. Randolph, Por. 449 / 22.5
9. Redd, Mil. 490 / 22.3
10. Bryant, LAL 436 / 21.8
11. Maggette, LAC 382 / 21.2
12. Abdur-Rahim, Atl. 469 / 20.4
13. Billups, Det. 447 / 20.3
14. O'Neal, Ind. 426 / 20.3
15. O'Neal, LAL 379 / 19.9
16. Marbury, Phoe. 413 / 19.7
17. Lewis, Sea. 353 / 19.6
18. Jones, Mia. 388 / 19.4
19. Murray, Sea. 364 / 19.2
Source: AP
The teams struggled with their shooting in the first half and combined for an NBA-record low 55 points, the fewest two-team total since the shot clock was introduced in the 1954-55 season.
The previous low first-half total was 57, accomplished by Detroit and Denver on Nov. 16 last year and New York and Miami on Jan. 30 this year.
The league record for fewest points in a half is 51, in the second half of the Boston-Milwaukee game in Feb. 27, 1955.
Hornets 111, Suns 101
In Phoenix, Baron Davis scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and New Orleans spoiled the debut of Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni.
David Wesley scored 14 points, George Lynch and P.J. Brown added 13 apiece, and Jamaal Magloire had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets, who won their third consecutive game and fifth of six.
The Suns, who fired coach Frank Johnson on Wednesday and elevated D'Antoni from lead assistant, have lost four successive games and seven of eight to fall into last place in the Western Conference for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
Shawn Marion scored a season-high 31 points, and Stephon Marbury added 24.
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