LeBron James scored 22 points, including a go-ahead layup in the final seconds, to lead the injury-depleted Cleveland Cavaliers over the Milwaukee Bucks 89-86 in the NBA on Monday.
James added 12 assists and nine rebounds as he nearly completed his fourth triple-double of the season, but it was his powerful move to the basket that gave Cleveland an 87-86 lead and enabled the Cavaliers to break a two-game losing streak.
"I knew I had to be aggressive. This was an important game. What's awesome is that we won the season series and have done a great job in our division," James said.
PHOTO: AP
Simmons scored 21 points to lead Milwaukee, which has lost five of eight including four in a row on the road.
The Bucks' Michael Redd scored only 18 points, seven under his average, but came alive in the final two minutes to spark Milwaukee.
Rockets 87, 76ers 81
At Philadelphia, Yao Ming scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and Houston held the 76ers without a field goal for more than 15 minutes in the second half.
Only free throws kept the Sixers in this one after an incredible stretch of offensive ineptness. They did not score from 4:41 in the third to 1:05 in the fourth -- 15:36 overall -- and nearly became the second team in the last week to go without a field goal in the fourth quarter after the Kings went 0-for-20 against Utah.
Philadelphia made 18 free throws during that stretch that remarkably allowed them to hang on. The Sixers missed 14 straight shots in the quarter before Iverson finally scored on a three-point play. Andre Iguodala followed with a 3 that made it 85-79, and Iverson added another basket, giving the Sixers three in the quarter, but it was too late.
Wizards 94, Magic 82
At Washington, Gilbert Arenas had 23 points and eight assists, Antawn Jamison 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Washington finally returned to .500. The Wizards took the lead early in the first quarter and didn't trail again as they hit the break-even mark for the first time since Dec. 7.
Arenas struggled from the field, making only six of 24 shots.
DeShawn Stevenson scored 20 points to lead Orlando.
Nets 99, Hornets 91
At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Richard Jefferson scored 26 points and Vince Carter added 21 to help New Jersey win its 11th straight at home.
Jason Kidd, the NBA's active leader with 70 triple-doubles, missed his 71st by one rebound as he finished with 14 points, 11 assists and nine boards.
The Nets (25-21) moved to within two games of tying the franchise's longest home winning streak, set in 2002-2003 and equaled the following season.
Heat 114, Celtics 98
At Miami, Dwyane Wade had 34 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead Miami.
Shaquille O'Neal added 21 points to help Miami win for the fifth time in six games.
The Heat held a 77-74 lead with a 1:13 left in the third quarter, before going on a 22-6 run over the next seven minutes to seal the victory. O'Neal capped the run with a three-point play with 5:53 left in the game that gave Miami a 99-80 lead.
Paul Pierce scored 31 points to lead the Celtics, who lost their sixth straight. Raef LaFrentz added 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting and Wally Szczerbiak had 16 points.
Bobcats 119, SuperSonics 106
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Raymond Felton scored 24 points and Melvin Ely added 23, both career highs, to lead suddenly streaking Charlotte.
Charlotte snapped its record 13-game losing streak on Friday with a shocker over the Los Angeles Lakers, then followed it with a decisive and dominating win over Seattle.
Jazz 109, Bulls 107, OT
At Salt Lake City, Mehmet Okur hit a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left in overtime and Matt Harpring had 28 points to help Utah.
Warriors 122, Nuggets 114
At Oakland, California, Baron Davis had 23 points and 12 assists and Jason Richardson added 28 points to help Golden State.
Timberwolves 103, Suns 101
At Phoenix, Kevin Garnett blocked Shawn Marion's short jumper at the buzzer to preserve Minnesota's victory.
The Suns complained vehemently that it was goaltending, but it was to no avail, and Minnesota had its first victory in five tries against Phoenix.
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