James scores 44 as Cave defeat Spurs

The Los Angeles Lakers' Smush Parker, center, hangs on the rim after scoring on a reverse dunk as the Utah Jazz's Carlos Boozer, left, and Mehmet Okur, of Turkey, look on in the second quarter of their NBA game on Monday in Los Angeles. Parker was called for a technical foul for hanging on to the rim. PHOTO: AP

The defending champions had no answer for LeBron James.

James 44 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat San Antonio 101-87 on Monday night to end the Spurs' nine-game winning streak. It was James' sixth game over 40 points this season. He went 19-for-33 and added five assists and three rebounds. James scored 18 in the third quarter and had 36 through three periods.

The win ended a two-game slide for the Cavaliers and stopped another streak for the Spurs -- a franchise record-nine straight road victories.

The Cavaliers continue to play well at home against the NBA's best. They are 14-2 at home against teams over .500, while just 5-5 against teams under .500.

Tim Duncan scored just three of his 19 points in the second half to lead the Spurs.

Trail Blazers 91, Bobcats 83

At Charlotte, North Carolina, Zach Randolph had 21 points and nine rebounds to help Portland snap a four-game losing streak in a matchup of the last place teams in each conference.

The Trail Blazers had lost their last three games by 33, 32 and 32 points, shooting a combined 37 percent from the field.

Darius Miles, playing in his first game since Dec. 4, gave the Trail Blazers a boost on offense with 14 points, while Juan Dixon scored all 12 of his points in the first half. Miles had been sidelined with a sprained left knee.

Raymond Felton returned to the starting lineup after missing one game with a leg injury and led Charlotte with 16 points, while Brevin Knight, Bernard Robinson and Primo Brezec each had 14.

Raptors 98, Timberwolves 94

At Minneapolis, Mike James scored 27 points, including two key baskets and two free throws down the stretch, to help Toronto win its third straight game.

Morris Peterson had 20 points and Charlie Villanueva added 16 for the Raptors, who shot 11-for-17 from behind the arc.

Kevin Garnett had 23 points and 19 rebounds for Minnesota, which lost its fourth straight and fell seven games below .500 for the first time since the 1996-97 season. All four of those losses have come at home.

San Antonio Spurs playmaker Tony Parker has been named NBA western conference player of the week, the National Basketball Association announced on Monday.

Parker in victories by his team against the Toronto Raptors, the New Jersey Nets and Indiana Pacers in the period from Feb. 6 to 12. During those three matches, Parker scored an average of 22.7 points, 8.3 passes and 4.3 rebounds for a 53 percent shot success rate with a 72.2 percent record at the free throw line.

It is the first ever time a Frenchman has won the title of player of the week.