Cavaliers Stage Rally

In four days, the Cleveland Cavaliers have beaten the defending NBA champions, won at Madison Square Garden and, Monday night, rallied from 25 points down for a victory.

“This is sweet,” guard Jeff McInnis said. “I’ve never come back from so far down before.”

LeBron James scored 21 points, fellow rookie Jason Kapono had a season-high 19 and the Cavaliers came back Monday night for a 104-100 victory over the New Orleans Hornets at Cleveland.

Carlos Boozer had 24 points, and McInnis had 14 and nine assists for the Cavaliers, who have won three in a row -- at home against San Antonio and New Orleans, and at New York -- since Friday.

After starting the season 6-19, Cleveland is within 1 1/2 games of the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

“I’ve never been around a group that has jelled,” first-year Coach Paul Silas said. “This was sweet. We want to keep this thing going.”

James also had a basket, steal and rebound in the final 1 minute 19 seconds as Cleveland completed one of the biggest comebacks in its 35-year history.

The Cavaliers were down, 49-24, with 6:34 left in the second quarter but trimmed it to 14 by halftime and four by the end of the third before finally taking the lead at 83-82 on McInnis’ short jumper with 7:42 to play.

Kapono sparked the Cavalier comeback, making all five of his three-point shots. The second-round draft pick from UCLA had played only 19 minutes in his previous five games.

“I’m not the most talented guy in here,” he said looking around the locker room. “I’m probably No. 14 on the roster, but I can play a little.”

Detroit 76, Philadelphia 66 -- Richard Hamilton scored 15 points, and Tayshaun Prince had 14 for the Pistons, who defeated the 76ers -- playing without Allen Iverson -- at Philadelphia.

Kenny Thomas had 10 points and 18 rebounds, and Eric Snow had 12 points for Philadelphia, which was without Iverson because of a shoulder injury. Iverson, tied for the NBA’s scoring lead, was replaced by Aaron McKie, who had two points.

Memphis 109, Denver 106 -- James Posey scored 20 points, including 13 during a fourth-quarter rally at Memphis, Tenn.

Shane Battier’s block of Carmelo Anthony’s putback attempt with seven seconds left prevented Denver from taking the lead. Posey grabbed the blocked shot, was fouled and converted the free throws to seal Memphis’ fifth victory in a row.

Portland 89, Miami 81 -- Zach Randolph scored 22 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, and Derek Anderson had 20 points at Miami.

The Trail Blazers won their fourth in a row, ending Miami’s four-game winning streak.

Portland took control with a surge that extended from the third quarter into the fourth. Down by 10, the Trail Blazers rallied late in the third quarter and built a nine-point lead early in the fourth.