Richardson Sparks Nets’ Win Over Cavaliers

Micheal Ray Richardson scored 29 points and sparked a late scoring spurt Monday night that lifted the New Jersey Nets to their fourth consecutive victory, a 108-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Nets, who have won eight of their last nine games and improved to 18-12, trailed, 98-97, after John Bagley hit a jumper from the free-throw line with 3:41 remaining.

New Jersey reeled off the next nine points to secure the victory, as Richardson had 13 fourth-period points. Albert King started the late spurt with a pair of free throws, giving the Nets the lead for good.

Richardson hit a jumper from the free-throw line, Buck Williams scored on a foul shot, Richardson drove the key and pulled up for a short jumper and Otis Birdsong hit a jumper inside the key to give the Nets a 106-98 edge with just less than a minute to play.

World B. Free led Cleveland with 30 points.