DALLAS: LeBron James scored a season-high 44 points to help the Cleveland Cavaliers see off the improving Oklahoma City Thunder 102-89 on Sunday.
A 14-0 fourth-quarter run, fueled by James and a halfcourt shot from Mo Williams, finally broke the Cavaliers free of the Thunder, who had led by eight points in the first half.
“That was a big momentum-changer,” the Thunder’s Jeff Green said of the 45-foot shoot that put the Cavaliers up 94-87.
“It was a lucky shot. But those things happen. There’s nothing you can do about it.” Williams had eight points, including back-to-back three pointers, and James six points in the spree as the Cavaliers held the Thunder without a point for more than six minutes.
“Any shot like that hurts,” Williams told reporters when asked about the halfcourt effort.
“You think you have a big stop. You’re down only four. Then all of a sudden, you’re down seven. It takes the life out of you.” James knocked down five three-pointers and had seven rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Central Division-leading Cavaliers, who improved to 17-7.
“He was in a zone, there was no doubt,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “You can’t do much about it. He’s one of the best players in the world. We couldn’t guard him any closer.”
Center Shaquille O’Neal was back in the line-up after getting hit in the face in Friday’s game against Portland and experiencing blurred vision. He played 18 minutes, had six rebounds, two blocked shots and five points.
Kevin Durant had 29 points and Green 26 for
Grizzlies 118, Heat 90: At Miami, Rudy Gay scored a career-high 41 points and Marc Gasol made all seven of his shots on the way to a 16-point, 15-rebound effort as Memphis enjoyed a rare road win.
Gay made 15 of 28 shots, topping his previous career best by five points, and became just the fourth player since January 2007 to score at least 40 against Miami in a regular-season game. Jamal Crawford (40) did so on Dec. 1, 2008, while LeBron James (42) and Ben Gordon (43) each accomplished the feat last March.
Memphis also got 16 points from O.J. Mayo and 13 from Zach Randolph.
Dwyane Wade scored 25 points for Miami.
Hawks 130, Nets 107: At Atlanta, Maurice Evans scored 22 points, and Joe Johnson added 21 points and 10 assists to help Atlanta win its fourth straight.
Devin Harris, who started despite a sprained left pinky finger, scored 23 points for the Nets, who allowed a season high in points in their third consecutive loss — dropping the NBA’s worst record to 2-22.
Raptors 101, Rockets 88: At Toronto, Chris Bosh led Toronto with 27 points, Hedo Turkoglu had a season-high 23, and Jarrett Jack added 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Toronto downed Houston.
Carl Landry scored 25 points for Houston, and Luis Scola had 21 points and 15 rebounds.
Spurs 115, Clippers 90: At Los Angeles, Tim Duncan scored 21 points before sitting out the fourth quarter to lead San Antonio to victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Duncan departed with 1:48 left in the third quarter after he was accidentally elbowed on the right side of the head by teammate Matt Bonner with the Spurs leading 83-73.
Richard Jefferson and Manu Ginobili each had 17 points for San Antonio, which has won three straight and eight of 11.
Baron Davis finished with 20 points for the Clippers.
