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NBA: LeBron James nets 50 as the Cavs down the Knicks

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, right, takes a shot under the basket defended by Detroit Pistons forward Jason Maxiell during the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the TD Bank North Garden in Boston on Wednesday. PHOTO: EPA

LeBron James had 50 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 119-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

James shot 16-of-30 from the field, including seven-of-13 from three-point range, in his second 50-point game this season. One fan in a Cavaliers jersey ran onto the floor toward the Cleveland bench before being turned away by security.

The NBA's leading scorer notched 45 points in a victory over the Knicks in Cleveland on Nov. 2. He fell two points shy of Kobe Bryant, who had a 52-point game on Sunday against Dallas, the highest in the league this season.

Damon Jones added 15 points and Devin Brown had 14 for the Cavs.

Jamal Crawford scored 25 points, Nate Robinson added 24 and Eddy Curry had 20 for the Knicks.

Celtics 90, Pistons 78

In Boston, Kevin Garnett scored a season-high 31 points to lead Boston to a bruising victory over Detroit, as the Celtics became the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff berth and earned the homecourt tiebreaker over their closest competitor.

Referee Leon Wood allows his head to be used as a hoop-toss target during a time-out in the third quarter of the Minnesota Timberwolves versus Utah Jazz NBA game in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

Kendrick Perkins had a career-high 20 rebounds to go with his 10 points for the Celtics.

Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups each had 23 points for Detroit.

Nuggets 126, Suns 113

In Denver, Colorado, Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and 13 rebounds and Denver beat Phoenix to pull within one game of Golden State for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Allen Iverson scored 31 points to lead the Nuggets and reserve J.R. Smith added six three-pointers and 20 points.

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 22 points and Shaquille O'Neal grabbed 18 rebounds and scored 12 points, but the Suns fell to 3-5 since his Phoenix debut.

Rockets 117, Pacers 99

In Houston, Texas, Tracy McGrady scored 25 points and Houston got their franchise-record 16th straight win, making the Rockets 4-0 since losing Yao Ming for the season to injury.

The Rockets have won 20 of their last 21 and own the longest win streak in the NBA this season. It's Houston's seventh straight win by at least 10 points, extending a franchise record.

Rafer Alston added 21 points and had seven assists for the Rockets.

Danny Granger and Troy Murphy had 17 points apiece to lead Indiana.

Hornets 116, Hawks 101

In New Orleans, Chris Paul had 23 points and 18 assists as New Orleans tied a franchise record with 15 three-pointers in their victory over Atlanta.

Peja Stojakovic made six three-pointers and led all scorers with 29 points to help the Hornets to their second straight victory and their fourth win in the last five games.

Joe Johnson scored 24 points and Mike Bibby 21 for Atlanta, who got as close as 62-59 in the third quarter but could not keep pace as New Orleans kept hitting from long range.

Wright scored a career-high 13 points. Tyson Chandler threw down several alley-oop lobs from Paul and finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Pargo had 22 points.

Wednesday night's other NBA results:

* Jazz 105, Timberwolves 76

* Raptors 108, Heat 83

* Grizzlies 100, Nets 93

* Bucks 118, SuperSonics 106

* Bobcats 118, Warriors 109

* Magic 122, Wizards 92

* Clippers 116, Kings 109
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