Omri Casspi matched a season high with 14 points for the Cavaliers, who shot just 35 percent from the field.
RAPTORS 84, CELTICS 79
In Toronto, Ontario, DeMar DeRozan scored 13 of his 22 points in the third quarter and made four pivotal late free throws to lead Toronto past Boston.
DeRozan was a perfect 13-for-13 from the line as the Raptors ended a four-game losing skid despite being without injured stars Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon.
Paul Pierce’s 18 points paced the Celtics, who nearly wiped out a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, but ultimately fell shot in the opener of a dizzying stretch that will see them play six games in six cities over eight days. Boston remained three games ahead of Philadelphia atop the Atlantic Division.
NETS 95, 76ERS 89
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gerald Green scored 23 points in New Jersey’s win over Philadelphia.
Kris Humphries had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Nets, who recorded their 13th road win of the season against only nine at home.
Jrue Holiday’s 19 points led the Sixers, who suffered a critical loss as they try to cling onto a playoff spot, with six of their final seven games on the road.
BUCKS 113, PISTONS 97
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Drew Gooden scored 26 points as Milwaukee pulled away from Detroit in the third quarter.
Milwaukee are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, trailing New York and Philadelphia by two games in the race for the playoffs.
The Bucks led by five points at halftime, but pushed the lead out to 20 in the third quarter.
Brandon Jennings had 20 points and 10 assists for Milwaukee, who had all five starters score in double figures.
Brandon Knight scored 25 points for the Pistons.
HEAT 105, BOBCATS 82
In Miami, Florida, LeBron James had 19 points and nine rebounds as Miami completed a three-game season sweep of lowly Charlotte.
Chris Bosh had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Heat, who led by 22 after three quarters and rested James the entire final period.
The Heat, playing without Dwyane Wade again due to an ankle injury, improved to 11-1 in the star guard’s absence.
He is expected back for today’s game in New York.
Derrick Brown had 21 points and nine rebounds to lead Charlotte, who lost their 15th straight.
HORNETS 96, JAZZ 85
In New Orleans, Louisiana, Eric Gordon scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to shore up New Orlean’s win over Utah.
Gordon starred in his return from two games off with a sore back, and Chris Kaman added 19 points for the Hornets, who were playing after news that Tom Benson, owner of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, had agreed to buy the Hornets from the NBA.
Paul Millsap scored 27 points for Utah, who suffered a severe blow to their playoff ambitions.
KNICKS 103, WIZARDS 65
In New York, Baron Davis scored a season-high 18 points on his 33rd birthday as New York crushed Washington and surged into a tie for seventh in the East.
J.R. Smith had 23 points for the Knicks, who moved level with Philadelphia. New York hold the tiebreaker between the two.
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