LeBron's 51 clinches Central title for Cavs

Share this: Email | Facebook | X

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) " LeBron James scored 51 points, including six in overtime, and the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the Central Division title Friday night with a 126-123 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Although James failed to extend his triple-double streak to four games, he was clearly the difference, scoring a combined 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He added nine assists while falling five points short of his career high.

Anderson Varejao had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland, which secured its first division title in 33 years and just the second in franchise history. Wally Szczerbiak scored 12 points and Mo Williams had 10 as the Cavs won their fourth straight and eighth in nine games to tie the Lakers for the NBA's best record at 52-13.

76ers 104, Bulles 101

PHILADELPHIA " The 76ers took Dr. J up on his challenge to beat the Bulls one last time at the Spectrum.

Thaddeus Young scored a career-high 31 points and Andre Iguodala had 25 to spark Philadelphia to a victory over Chicago in the final NBA game at the 42-year-old Spectrum.

Celtics 102, Grizzlies 92

BOSTON " Leon Powe scored a career-high 30 points with 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen scored 22 points.

Rockets 91, Bobcats 86

CHARLOTTE, N.C. " Yao Ming scored 23 points, Ron Artest hit the go-ahead jumper and made the key defensive play, and Houston recovered after blowing a late lead.

Pistons 99, Raptors 95, OT

TORONTO " Richard Hamilton had 24 points and 16 assists and Antonio McDyess added 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Knicks 102,

Timberwolves 94

MINNEAPOLIS " Wilson Chandler scored 24 points to spark New York to a third straight victory.

Nate Robinson finished with 25 points, though 14 came from the foul line. He shot just 5-for-15 from the field after scoring 62 points in wins earlier this week over Milwaukee and Detroit.

Magic 112, Wizards 103

WASHINGTON " Dwight Howard's 18 points, 13 rebounds and career-high seven assists, and Orlando's depth were more than undermanned Washington could handle.

Hawks 101, Pacers 87

ATLANTA " Joe Johnson scored 30 points for the third straight game, and Al Horford finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds in Atlanta's fourth straight victory.

Hornets 95, Bucks 86

MILWAUKEE " Chris Paul scored 30 points and Rasual Butler hit a pair of key 3-pointers down the stretch to help New Orleans win for the ninth time in 10 games.

Warriors 119,

Mavericks 110

OAKLAND, Calif. " Stephen Jackson scored 31 points, Monta Ellis had season highs of 29 points and 11 rebounds, and Golden State put a dent into Dallas' playoff run.

Kelenna Azubuike and Anthony Randolph each added 14 points for the Warriors, who won their second straight.

Jason Kidd recorded his second triple-double of the season with 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Kidd has 102 career triple-doubles, third on the list behind Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138).

Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and Jason Terry added 20.